Let’s Undo This: A Campaign to Protect Wild Salmon (2024)

In recent years, the proliferation of open-net salmon farming has posed significant threats to wild salmon populations. Iceland, being one of the last strongholds for Atlantic Salmon, can not afford to make the same mistakes as other countries have made when it comes to salmon farming. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) along with partners  launched the “Let’s Undo This” campaign in 2024, aiming to reverse the detrimental effects of such practices and safeguard the future of wild salmon.

The Core Issue

Open-net salmon farming involves raising salmon in large, submerged cages in natural water bodies. While this method supports mass production, it introduces several environmental challenges:

  • Disease Transmission: Farmed salmon are susceptible to diseases and parasites, which can spread to wild populations, compromising their health and survival rates.
  • Genetic Dilution: Escaped farmed salmon can interbreed with wild counterparts, leading to genetic dilution and reduced resilience in wild populations.
  • Environmental Degradation: Waste from these farms, including uneaten feed and feces, accumulates on the ocean floor, disrupting marine ecosystems.

Campaign Objectives

The “Let’s Undo This” campaign seeks to address these challenges through a multifaceted approach:

  1. Advocacy for Sustainable Practices: NASF is urging governments and industry stakeholders to transition from open-net farming. If Iceland is to farm salmon, the campaign points to more sustainable alternatives, such as land-based and closed containment systems. These methods mitigate environmental risks and protect wild salmon habitats.
  2. Public Awareness: By educating consumers about the ecological impacts of their seafood choices, the campaign empowers individuals to support sustainable aquaculture practices.
  3. Scientific Collaboration: NASF collaborates with independent scientists to conduct research and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy changes.

Call to Action

The “Let’s Undo This” campaign is about collective action. NASF encourages individuals to:

  • Sign the Petition: Support the call for legislative reforms to protect wild salmon by adding your signature to the petition addressed to the Icelandic Parliament.
  • Spread the Word: Share information about the campaign within your networks to amplify its reach and impact.
  • Make Informed Choices: Opt for sustainably sourced seafood to reduce the demand for environmentally harmful farming practices.

Key figures from the campaign 

  • 306 public comments – most opposing sea cage aquaculture – submitted to parliament in response to the last proposed aquaculture bill
  • 54,691 petition signatures to ban sea cage aquaculture
  • 3,300 Icelanders protested on the steps on parliament
  • 111 prominent open signatories called on parliament to ban sea cage aquaculture
  • 500,000+ views of 1 social post by NASF and Patagonia and others calling on parliament to listen

 

Lets undo this!