"I
write out of great concern for the future of the populations of
Atlantic salmon in the rivers of Asturias (especially the Narcea,
Sella and Cares Rivers). Recent research of a high quality conducted
by fisheries scientists at the University of Oviedo has revealed that
there are very strong and significant declines in the populations of
salmon in all of these rivers. These declines are partly as a result
of changing environmental conditions but also due to
over-exploitation by fishermen. These are extremely important
populations, as they are among the southernmost in the entire range
of this species and are genetically distinct from those further
north. If these populations become distinct they can never be
replaced.
My
understanding is that there is a proposal to actually increase the
exploitation of these last remaining Spanish populations of salmon,
by increasing the number of fishing licences (which are already too
high) and by increasing the number of adult fish removed for captive
breeding/restocking (which is an approach that is known to create
many problems – it is not good practice for salmon management
unless there is no natural habitat left – which is not the case
here). I would ask that you reconsider this plan, since it has a high
likelihood of driving the Spanish salmon populations to extinction.
Instead you need to take advice from independent fisheries biologists
as to the best management option – and you must do this as soon as
possible."
(El
Dr. Metcalfe deja claro que las repoblaciones no son la solución
a los problemas de salmón y que en cambio pueden dar lugar a
problemas adicionales. Asimismo considera que la sobrepesca
puede hacer mucho daño a las poblaciones de Salmón Atlántico,
máxime cuando se han aumentado los cupos de captura. El Dr.
Metcalfe asimismo afirma que la gestión de las poblaciones de
salmón debería llevarse a cabo por científicos. Recordemos
que esto lo dice un catedrático de Biología Evolutiva,
especialista en salmónidos a nivel mundial y que ha sido galardonado
con la medalla de oro de la "Fisheries Society of the British
Isles", una de las asociaciones ictiológicas más
importantes del mundo).
- Prof.
N.B. Metcalfe FRSE (Doctor
en Biología y Catedrático de Ecología Evolutiva.),
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine.
Graham Kerr Building. College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences. University of Glasgow, Glasgow. Fisheries
Society of the British Isles Medall. Ha realizado
gran parte de sus investigaciones con salmones.
“ I
fully support your campaign to “Protect the Spanish Salmon.” The
policies you described to “manage” salmon appear to threaten the
very existence of the last remnant wild salmon populations in Spain.
Domesticated fish are no replacement, and more concerning, is that
the indiscriminant release of domesticated fish will almost certainly
further threaten the persistence of wild salmon. I suspect that wild
salmon are both a natural and cultural treasure for Spain – and
also, for the world – it would be worrying to see the loss of some
of the last southern populations of wild Atlantic salmon.
I
encourage Spain to take steps to ensure the protection of the last
Spanish salmon populations – both for Spain and for the world".
- Dr.
Ian Fleming (Doctor en
Biología y Catedrático.),
Professor Ocean Sciences Centre. Memorial University of Newfoundland.
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Uno
de los mayores especialistas a nivel mundial en biología de
salmónidos.