Lawmakers in key parts of the world are remodelling their approaches to salmon fishing. In one hotspot, higher taxes seek to better manage income from the salmon-farming capital of the world. On the other, a reform on fishing is looking vital to conservation as the consequences of climate change set in.
If the salmon you ate for dinner last night didnβt come from Scotland, it likely came from Norway. The Nordic country supplies more than half of the worldβs farmed salmon, exporting 1.5 million tons of it annually.
Considering these insane figures, the local government is determined to start funnelling cash made from salmon exports into building a better life for its people.
To do so, it will raise taxes on earnings from the aquaculture industry. Dubbed βthe salmon tax,β all farmed fish profits will be taxed at 35 percent. This is in addition to a 25 percent corporation tax for operating fisheries.
A steep bill, sure. But it will allow coastal communities to reap the economic value generated from fish farming happening around them. The government-collected taxes are set to improve local welfare services, such as schools and care services for the elderly.
In the eyes of those supporting the salmon tax, the boosted revenue stream will also help reduce the countryβs dependency on oil.
As a result, it will ease the need for government subsidies issued to deal with the ongoing energy crisis. We love a good domino effect.
Supporters also say that this kind of policy β aka, not letting major fishing companies rake in the dough while local residents watch and scrape by β creates a great framework for how economic earnings from aquaculture can be managed in a fair way globally.
Meanwhile, Pacific salmon fishing on the west coast of the US is seeing new approaches put in place by means of necessity. Local salmon are disappearing β and not just from overfishing.
Pacific salmon are getting long-overdue protection
California and Oregon are taking a good look at their relationship with local salmon species. Their motivation for change is arguably far more alarming.
Hot weather and prolonged drought on the west coast have reduced the flow of local waterways in recent years, leading to severely depleted levels of fish stocks in areas where populations have been historically abundant.
Climate scientists in the area have pointed out that although a variation in numbers can be normal, the current situation is definitely not. Along with climate change, they blame accumulating instances of human action.
Looking at the big picture, theyβve branded it an βassault on Californiaβs salmonβ.
First, fur traders over-poached beavers, whose humble dams created perfect habitats for salmon. Then, high levels of mining during the Gold Rush heavily polluted local creeks and rivers with gravel. More recently, gigantic man-made dams were installed, drying up 90 percent of Californiaβs wetlands.
All of these actions have contributed to the loss of salmon species, which has made life for Indigenous groups extremely difficult. Members of the Yurok Tribe said, βWe lost our language. We lost our religion for a long time.β In losing the fish, they say, βWe lost a lot.β
An incoming season ban on salmon fishing in California and neighbouring Oregon is now inevitable. Good news for salmon, but bad news for local fishermen who rely on the fish for their livelihoods.
Scientists closely monitoring the situation say that this doesnβt have to be the end for Pacific salmon or people who catch it. βThe best thing we can do is give the fish the best chance they have to figure [a modified environment] out evolutionarily,β one researcher told the NYT.
There are steps being taken to fast-track this βwait and seeβ approach. A campaign to remove unused hydroelectric dams in California succeeded last month. This will open up 400 miles of additional space for salmon to swim through.
Meanwhile, research is ongoing to see what further obstacles can be removed to restore a flow once again. This, local scientists believe, could be the key to boosting populations once again.
I have to say, itβs somewhat of a relief to learn that these efforts are being taken, especially when a wide-scale move towards fish farming has been side-eyed by marine biologists and labelled a sure-fire way to ignite an βecological disaster.β
As anyone whoβs watched Seaspiracy will know, fish farming isnβt a silver bullet solution to conserving wild populations or capping overfishing. Nor is it an entirely healthy or environmentally friendly practice.
So it looks like rectifying our human mistakes and allowing nature to restore itself could be the best way forward. Who knew, eh?
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
Iβm Jessica (She/Her). Iβm the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
US President Trump has tightened immigration laws across the country, increasing ICE raids and giving agents free reign to arrest and detain anyone they deem βa threatβ. Under his policies, immigrant communities face imminent risks of deportation, familial separation, and forced detention in inhumane facilities.
Since the start of Trumpβs second term on January 20, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, have arrested over 66,000 undocumented immigrants...
The European Union faces growing backlash for its role in refugee rights violations, as critics argue that its strict asylum policies and border enforcement contribute to the suffering of those seeking safety.
Libya currently remains deeply divided and unstable amid ongoing political deadlock and militia violence.
In 2021, the indefinite postponement of national elections led to clashes between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity and the Government of National Stability, backed...
Wembleyβs three-million-strong crowds bring in noise, traffic, and little benefit to locals. Brent Councilβs hotel levy is a smart and overdue response.
Granted, Brent isnβt exactly the first place that springs to mind when you think of tourist taxes. Itβs not central London and itβs certainly not the picturesque Cotswolds. But the borough does play host to something few other areas do β a global entertainment destination that pulls in millions...
The footballer is under investigation for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism for his 18th birthday party. The incident raises serious questions about disability discrimination in 2025.
When Spainβs footballing prodigy Lamine Yamal turned 18 last week, he marked the milestone in the way many young men might dream of: a luxury villa in Barcelona, and an extensive guest list of family and friends. But there was one detail that turned...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.