How bad can it get – How hard can it be

The MFA believes Catch and Release is a highly effective conservation tool that, although now widely practiced by sport fishermen, should be further encouraged, particularly on those rivers where salmon stocks have been identified as being at greatest risk. In that regard, the Mörrumsån’s mandate should now be - compulsory release of all salmon and sea trout until the stocks are fully recovered, and can be classed as a sustainable resource. According to the scientific assessments, most salmon stocks in the Swedish Baltic rivers are in serious decline with critical implications for the Mörrumsån because of the complacency of the Government authorities, Karlshamn’s Commune and the river managers, for allowing the situation to drift without check as it seems now, without any regard and thought to the seriousness of the situation.        

Further actions aimed at conserving and rebuilding stocks are urgently required if we are to ensure that future generations can enjoy the social and economic benefits associated with thriving salmon stocks.

Failure by those responsible, to implement a mandate of compulsory “catch and release” will hasten the situation to the “point of no return” There is a limit to how much can be debated and discussed of the reasons why there is a critical situation with the Baltic salmon. The continual declines to the Mörrumsån have been cataloged by the MFA and others since 2005, and the six years to address the situation is more than enough time to come to terms with what is necessary, to either correct or be seen as having a “common sense” approach to existing and or impending problems associated with the river.

We are now fast approaching the point, that unless those responsible take control of events as they are today. They “the river management” will be deemed very shortly, as not be being part of the solution, but being part of the problem. The MFA would like to continue to believe, that their support of the river management is justified. However there are now increasing doubts and concerns about that level of support, and can it be justified in the future if the present situation is allowed to continue to drift.

Nigel Griffiths

Chairman

MFA