What is the MFA doing?

There are times when we must ask ourselves….what are we doing at this point in time, to make things better for our members and the sport fishermen who fish the river. The reason I am addressing this is. Some are saying, we are not very active at the moment. Please remember, that all of the board members and others who are involved in the MFA, do so freely in their spare time. All have families and work to attend to. We are not a bunch of politicians who are publically posturing and who are paid out of the public purse and on padded expense accounts. The MFA will continue to do what they set out to do, even though at times we are seen as being dormanet.........that is most deffinatle not the case. So for those that are asking what we are doing, should be asking themselves “what can I do to help” the MFA other than pay membership dues.

There is now without a doubt, based on scientific surveys and data that the offshore Baltic salmon populations are in continual decline. Meaning that the salmon migrating to rivers like the Morrumsån are getting less and less. And what is more worrying is the breeding areas (redds) continue to be under populated by female salmon. Furthermore, the commercial nets are still there, and for the moment, e.on has as yet, not shown any “goodwill” towards improvements regarding water flows that will benefit the river. So, this is what we, who are responsible to the MFA are going to do, even it means we become less popular with those that profess that they can do something that will benefit the river, and at the end of the day……….do nothing, other than continue with the rhetoric.

This is what we will do; revisit the early days of the MFA formation and what we did to get attention. We will start by being more assertive regarding the commercial nets, and if e.on don’t do something that will benifit the river, we will address those issues in a more assertive manner. What can you do, firstly, release under ideal conditions, more salmon than you have ever done before. “Spread the word” this is your salmon river and show to all that you care for it's future. In essence, let’s set an example for others to follow, and thus making it more difficult for the commercial fishermen  and their supporters to use our negative actions as ammunition against us. Forget the photos of large dead 10 + kg female salmon. Instead, release it, and by your actions, you are helping to improve the breeding areas to be healthy and productive for the future. We realise that this will be difficult for the younger members to do as they try for a trophy fish. But if it's not done, there maybe nothing to fish on in the future.

e.on

We have often criticized e.on for not being more proactive in utilizing their resources in helping the fishery and the local community with better water flow(s) management for the river. Whereas before, local management at the dams have been solely responsible. We now know, that senior e.on management is now involved in trying to solve this particular problem we have with too low water flows. Looking at this problem, one can see from an observers point of view, too much water is released during early spring……………..even now in fact. So hopefully, the e.on management will draw up a better program for the benefit of all.

Commercial nets

Yes, it is still going on, with just about everyone standing by helpless to do anything about it. The MfA agreed with an important organization back in April 2008, to give them the opportunity to try negotiating some sort of agreement with the largest net owner. To either stop their netting or at least work within a quota system via the commercial nets man who leases their nets. Unfortunately, we were advised in September of 2009, that the said negotiations were unsuccessful. Whereas, it is now up to the MFA……once again and alone, to continue with the efforts to stop all the netting of salmon and sea trout in the Mörrumsån sea bay area.

Some of our members have suggested that we “name and shame” these commercial nets men. But the Swedish law is very strict on these types of practices. However, we have researched within the Swedish system, a way of publically dealing with these commercial nets man. Therefore as we are now once again, the only ones who are attempting to minimize the damage the nets man have on the fishery and the economic welfare of the local community. As a start point, and for the benefit of the new members, we will overview where we are at the moment, even though some of the following has been stated above.

There are twenty eight (28) commercial nets at any one time operating in the Mörrumsån sea bay area……….not including the unlicensed operators and poaching gangs. Of the 28 nets, 19 are owned by very wealthy and prominent local family, who has the historical rights to fish with nets dating back 500 years. They lease their nets to a commercial fisherman, the self same commercial fisherman who complained to a local newspaper – Sydöstran in 2008 about his commercial fishing of Pike……..see link: http://www.sydostran.se/index.64230---1.html now this commercial fisherman alone in all probability, is responsible for taking up to 1500 salmon and sea trout during the season. And during the low water levels we have had these last two years, probably more.

I’ll not go into detail here, other than to say that in 2009 I was privy to facts that have emerged from “The salmon action plan” a study started in 1997 and amongst other issues, the ever declining offshore Baltic salmon stocks conducted by the EU fisheries commission. That will result in an EU “Salmon Management Plan” in April/May of this year.  With the fact of declining numbers of salmon in the Baltic and the loss of up to conservatively, 1500 of salmon and sea trout to the river……..we have much to consider about the long term health of the Mörrumsån. As if this was not bad enough, we now have an additional problem and that is, the steep decline of female salmon in the breeding areas. However, regarding the female salmon….this is something we can all do something about………..now.  And that is, to start releasing all female salmon 10 kg and over, as they are the most generically strong to breed effectively. As for the commercial netting, the MFA will now notch it up to a higher and more intense level in the public domain. As it is without a doubt, that the commercial fishermen have no social conscience and do not consider whatsoever,  our approach and the commercial compensation we have offered them in the past past three years. And have a complete disregard of how much damage they are doing to the fishery and the knock-on effects to the economic wellbeing of the local and the surrounding communities.

Lastly, thanks to all the original members for staying with us and thanks to all the new members for believing in the MFA and for what we are trying to do.The MFA need your support more than ever before, and I hope you all appreciat. That we are trying to do is not an easy exercise we have got ourselves into. You ‘all have a great 2010 fishing season, and lets really hope that this years fishing is one of the best for a number of years.................which I think could be the case

Nigel E.J. Griffiths

Chairman

MFA

Email: mfa@post.com