*[Enwl-eng] Wild salmon is disappearing
ENWLine
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European wild salmon is under threat by dirty fish farms, because pollution and parasites are constantly leaking out of them. Instead of closing dirty fish farms, some European governments wants to encourage the industry to expand – even into the pristine fjords of Iceland. But now we have a chance to turn the tide. |
This petition was launched on our YouMove platform by Patagonia. We think you might be interested in it.
There were 8-10 million spawning salmon in 1970. 3.6 million -- less than a half of this number -- is left today. [1] Fish farms promised to solve this problem, but instead, they kill even more native fish by poisoning them with viruses, bacteria, and other pollutants from their farms.
Right now in Iceland, the parliament is about to vote on a bill that could allow the world’s biggest aquaculture companies to farm vast amounts of salmon in open nets. The new aquaculture bill seems to be getting rushed through the parliament with some normal steps being skipped. Public pressure on the Icelandic parliament could turn things around, but we must act fast.
Destructive salmon farming is also happening in Norway, Scotland and Ireland. There, the fish are raised in open-net cages which allow water to pass freely, along with viruses, sea lice, bacteria, heavy metals, trash, disinfectants and pesticides. [2]
A campaign calling for a ban on open net salmon farms is getting momentum with a documentary about fish farming being launched today [3] and the pressure on the decision makers is growing.
The Icelandic government wants to be seen as progressive by the international community. With pressure coming from local NGOs, and people and ethical companies all across Europe, the government will have to show it practices what it preaches when it comes to the environment. Our signatures will be delivered to the Icelandic Parliament ahead of the crucial vote and also handed to key decision makers in Norway, Scotland and Ireland.
If we want to protect the wild Atlantic salmon that many coastal and river communities depend on, we need to stop these open fish farms. Change is happening! Washington State in the US has already passed legislation to phase out open-net cages and one region in Norway has banned new ones. [4]
As the WeMove community, we know that what happens in the ecosystem in one corner of Europe, affects the entire continent. We have shown many times that we can mobilize to protect European nature and wildlife. Let’s do it one more time - for the fish and for our environment.
Thank you!
Olga (Bologna), Marta (Warsaw), Virginia (Madrid) and the entire WeMove.EU team
PS: As climate change threatens cold-water fish populations, the diversity and adaptability of wild fish will be crucial for survival. The change can be quick! Sign the petition!
References:
[1]
http://www.nasco.int/pdf/reports_other/Salmon_at_sea.pdf
[2]
http://www.nasco.int/pdf/reports_other/Salmon_at_sea.pdf
[3] See
the trailer here:
https://eu.patagonia.com/eu/artifishal.html#trailer
[4]
https://www.nationalfisherman.com/uncategorized/washingtons-inslee-signs-salmon-pen-ban-law/
You Move Europe is an online action platform dedicated to help making Europe a more democratic, environmentally and socially just place. You Move Europe puts power in your hands. If you have an idea to make Europe a better place, You Move Europe helps you make it a reality. Petitions on this platform are started and run by civil society groups and members of the public. WeMove.EU hosts these petitions and they are in line with our values but they are not necessarily endorsed by WeMove.EU.
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