There is not much that can be said about the 2010 Mörrum fishing season, other than to say…….how can anybody not see what was to come. All the obvious signs were there and have become more apparent since 2005. The question now many will ask is; why is it that others who were closer to the problem did not recognize the signals? as did the MFA back in 2005. There's never just one cockroach - pardon the grotesque analogy, but when a problem occurs, it's generally followed by another and then another….just like cockroaches.

However, after many years of ignoring the problem of the continuing declines in the salmon numbers to the river. It seems it has reached a stage, and in cases such as this. That finally the message must be “Houston space control are you there”…hallo Houston are you there?.........  not only have we have lost our way, we now have cockroaches in the capsule…… as well. I feel as many of us do…….disappointed, frustrated and now worried about the authorities’ ability to correct the situation without further delay. Assuming of course, that there is an incentive to even try. Or do we face in the future with a “Lets wait and see policy”………oh no, no, not that one…….again, How many more of these platitudes will we hear, while continuing to “over fish” a diminishing gene pool of native salmon in the river. And continuing to pander to a small minority who do not accept a “common sense approach” to what could become a “nightmare scenario”

In all of this, the failures here to recognize the onset of a problem are systemic, and the apparent unwillingness to deal with it, would clearly show that it is most likely to reaccure without National Government and EU reform. Ultimately, the fault is in inadequate Government oversight and regulation. When viewed objectively, there now seems to be a whole sequence of events and poor decisions with the unfortunate consequences for the river. The only way to break it down to its lowest denominator is for the managers and the local commune to take the initiative, and to instigate on-going and effective public relations with its customers….the sport fishermen. Failure to do so will only cause further uncertainty amongst the sport fishermen, and further problems will incur if a comprehensive program is not implemented sooner rather than later.

“What If”

They don’t implement compulsory catch and release of all salmon until we know how bad the situation is. Coming to terms with; that to still allow net fishing in the estuary, presents an “ever present danger” to a diminishing resource that will only aggregate the problem.

Rumor is rife at the moment, because no one knows what is going to happen. For example, recently heard from what can only be described as straight from the horses mouth……..some will say I know the rear end. That there will be no changes in the 2011 season. If we are to believe this, then the “status quo” will continue and those that do so can kill as many salmon as they want. Until the day, when the native Mörrumsån salmon gene pool has been completely wiped out, and when that day arrives…………..then what?

It is a sad state of affaires, when the customers are kept “at bay” by silence, and all and sundry are “put to bed” with “happy goody two shoes” statements and posts.

Nigel Griffiths

Chairman

MFA