The “Against the Current” Campaign (2018)
In 2018, the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) launched the “Against the Current” campaign, a strategic effort aimed at addressing the challenges faced by wild salmon populations due to industrial practices and environmental changes. This campaign underscored NASF’s commitment to preserving wild salmon through targeted actions and public engagement.
Campaign Objectives
The primary goals of the “Against the Current” campaign included:
- Advocacy for Salmon: Highlighting the dangers of sea cage salmon farming, while promoting more responsible practices to ensure the long-term survival of wild salmon.
- Public Awareness: Educating the public about the threats to wild salmon and the importance of conservation efforts. This was done at a time when a new aquaculture legislation was being formed in Iceland. Unfortunately this legislation was very friendly to harmful practices and set a dangerous precedent that threatens wild salmon populations.
Key Initiatives
To achieve these objectives, NASF focused on several key initiatives:
- Policy Engagement: Educating governments and decision makers to influence policies favoring wild salmon conservation.
- Petition against sea cage salmon farming: The campaign gathered signatures against unsustainable salmon farming practices in Iceland, signatures that would ultimately be handed to the Icelandic Fisheries Minister.
- Community Involvement: NASF hosted several events where local communities, scientists and conservationists were invited to participate and raise awareness about the plight of wild Atlantic Salmon.
Impact and Legacy
The “Against the Current” campaign played a significant role in raising awareness about the plight of wild salmon and mobilizing resources for their conservation. It highlighted the importance of collective action and informed policy-making in addressing environmental challenges. 12.000 signatures were handed to the Minister of Fisheries.