Photo: Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa
Greenlandic biologists and fishermen stay to differ on the need to reduce wild salmon catches. The former believe that overfishing does not allow the population to recover, which could lead to its depletion. The latter, in turn, believe that the current quotas should be maintained because the research was conducted in an unsatisfactory manner and does not reflect the real state of the Greenland salmon population.
The Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR) notes that salmon catch quotas in Qeqertarsuup, Tunua, Upernavik and Uummannaq should be lower than the current values. Helle Sigstad, Director of the Department of Fish and Seafood at GINR, says that a 40 percent reduction in salmon catches in a few years will lead to a significant increase in the population of this valuable commercial fish.
Photo: Helle Sigstad, Director of the Fish and Seafood Department at GINR
In order to preserve the salmon population, the catch must be reduced, says Helle Sigstad, Director of the Fish and Seafood Department at GINR.
Thus, Helle Sigstad believes that the salmon population is declining and that reducing the catch is necessary to preserve it. However, Aksel Siegstad, a fisherman from Ilulissat, disagrees that the salmon population is decreasing and the fish are getting smaller. He says that the fish he has caught in Upernavik this summer were of larger size and weight than before, reaching an average of 2 kilograms per fish.
Photo: Aksel Siegstad, a fisherman from Ilulissat
The SQAPK association, which unites fishermen and hunters, is also not satisfied with the study’s results. Anton Lindenhann, SQAPK leader, points out that the GINR has not examined other bays where large salmon live.
Photo: Anton Lindehann, President of SQAPK association
Anton Lindehann, President of SQAPK association believes that the GINR's study is incomplete and should expand its research.
KNR forwarded comments from Axel Siegstad and Anton Lindenhahn to the GINR. In response to the fishermen's criticism, Helle Sigstad noted that the organization had surveyed all fishing grounds.
She noted that while there are indeed large fish in some places, this does not give a complete picture. If you look at the entire Qeqertarsuaq area, there are currently many small fish. Overall, the amount of salmon caught in the Arctic is constantly decreasing due to the Institute's recommended quotas being exceeded in northern Greenland. The quotas in the areas of Qeqertarsuup, Tunua, Upernavik and Uummannaq should be lower than the current catches.
It is not yet clear how the biologists' recommendations on the salmon quota will be reflected in the final decision of the Ministry of Fisheries. In response to KNR's inquiry, the Ministry stated that this decision will be made no later than November this year. The government's current fishing quota is 70 percent higher than the Institute's recommendation.
The fisheries management plan will be prepared in cooperation between SQAPK and GINR. This work includes the development of scientific advice on coastal fisheries and decisions on fishing quotas. The plan's expected timeline involves discussions concluding by the end of this year and implementation beginning in early January 2025.
Source: Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa
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