The population of wild North Atlantic salmon in Iceland has experienced a severe decline, plummeting by 75% in just over five decades. Current estimates suggest that fewer than 60,000 of these fish now exist in and around Icelandic waters. This alarming trend has prompted calls for immediate action to safeguard the species.
Environmentalists emphasize that without swift intervention, the future of wild salmon, often referred to by Icelandic environmentalist and wild fish advocate Orri Vigfússon as the “king of fish,” is at significant risk. The commentary suggests that the nation must prioritize the protection of its wild salmon stocks. This includes a strong stance against new aquaculture legislation, which is seen as a potential threat to the already vulnerable population. The argument is that such developments could exacerbate the existing decline and imperil the long-term survival of wild salmon in Iceland.
Source: Mongabay