Tuesday
May222007
The environmental minister Carlgren defends fish farming - DN
Tue, May 22, 2007
Dagens Nyheter 18 maj 2007
The environmental minister Carlgren defends fish farming
Fish farming in the middle of the World Heritage High Coast – in spite of the fact that the governments environmental goal is to decrease the release of phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the Baltic Sea.
Andreas Carlgren, Environmental Minister says ”It is a question of finding the right balance between preservation and development”
Dagens Nyheter recently wrote that two large fish farms will be established in Ullånger´s fjord, in the area which was awarded World Heritage status by United Nations. The proposed fish farms has awakened strong feelings of criticism from the local people, despite that, länsstyrelsen has given permission for the fish farming.
We made our decision by strictly following the environmental codes, and we did that by examining the objective data, says Lars Nyberg, chairman for the environmental investigation department of Länsstyrelsen Västernorrland.
He points out that fish farming, like wind power and mountain quarrying are controversial issues. Two of the requested fish farms were turned down, but two others were given permission to operate by länssytrelsen.
- An important principle in environmental questions is that the operation (fish farm) is placed in the best possible place. In Västernorrland, we have good conditions for fish farming, it is very deep and there is a good exchange of water, he says
The environmental study which was the basis of the decision to allow fish farming is questionable. The water data has not been compiled from the actual sites but has been developed from a theoretical model. A normal procedure, according to Nyberg.
At the moment this issue lies with the Environmental High Court in Östersund.
Environmental minister Andreas Carlgren points out that the government’s goal is to reduce the pollution levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in general, not to focus on every individual discharge source.
It is the totality that counts. And the Swedish environmental politics is not only built up on the need to preserve but also the need for development (progress).
In this case, it seems that länsstyrelsen have made their decision strongly based on the need to develop. We will now see whether the High court will lean towards more protection of the area, he says
Finally, it is the government and Riksdag who will make the decision if further steps are needed to fulfil the environmental requirements.
The day after Länsstyrelsen gave Åland Fish Company permission to start building the two fish farms, the company was sold, the new owners are Taimen Oy (Forellen AB) Finland
It is difficult to get new permission for fish farming in Finland, the numbers issued have been decreased. In order to expand our business, we had to buy Åland Fish Company, says manager Asko Kähkönen.
He concedes that fish breeding contributes to increased pollution of the Baltic Sea.
But no toxic waste spreads into the surrounding area. The level of phosphorous increases, therefore the vegetation grows very well and spreads much more than before, he says.
Of course, I understand those who have a fish farm just a few hundred meters from their beach. But where is one going to find a suitable place? People need food.
Emma Härdmark, HYPERLINK mailto:emma.hardmark@dn.se emma.hardmark@dn.se
and Stefan Lundberg. stefan.lundberg@hbl.fi
Translated by Eileen Hedström, 22 may 2007
The environmental minister Carlgren defends fish farming
Fish farming in the middle of the World Heritage High Coast – in spite of the fact that the governments environmental goal is to decrease the release of phosphorous and nitrogen levels in the Baltic Sea.
Andreas Carlgren, Environmental Minister says ”It is a question of finding the right balance between preservation and development”
Dagens Nyheter recently wrote that two large fish farms will be established in Ullånger´s fjord, in the area which was awarded World Heritage status by United Nations. The proposed fish farms has awakened strong feelings of criticism from the local people, despite that, länsstyrelsen has given permission for the fish farming.
We made our decision by strictly following the environmental codes, and we did that by examining the objective data, says Lars Nyberg, chairman for the environmental investigation department of Länsstyrelsen Västernorrland.
He points out that fish farming, like wind power and mountain quarrying are controversial issues. Two of the requested fish farms were turned down, but two others were given permission to operate by länssytrelsen.
- An important principle in environmental questions is that the operation (fish farm) is placed in the best possible place. In Västernorrland, we have good conditions for fish farming, it is very deep and there is a good exchange of water, he says
The environmental study which was the basis of the decision to allow fish farming is questionable. The water data has not been compiled from the actual sites but has been developed from a theoretical model. A normal procedure, according to Nyberg.
At the moment this issue lies with the Environmental High Court in Östersund.
Environmental minister Andreas Carlgren points out that the government’s goal is to reduce the pollution levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in general, not to focus on every individual discharge source.
It is the totality that counts. And the Swedish environmental politics is not only built up on the need to preserve but also the need for development (progress).
In this case, it seems that länsstyrelsen have made their decision strongly based on the need to develop. We will now see whether the High court will lean towards more protection of the area, he says
Finally, it is the government and Riksdag who will make the decision if further steps are needed to fulfil the environmental requirements.
The day after Länsstyrelsen gave Åland Fish Company permission to start building the two fish farms, the company was sold, the new owners are Taimen Oy (Forellen AB) Finland
It is difficult to get new permission for fish farming in Finland, the numbers issued have been decreased. In order to expand our business, we had to buy Åland Fish Company, says manager Asko Kähkönen.
He concedes that fish breeding contributes to increased pollution of the Baltic Sea.
But no toxic waste spreads into the surrounding area. The level of phosphorous increases, therefore the vegetation grows very well and spreads much more than before, he says.
Of course, I understand those who have a fish farm just a few hundred meters from their beach. But where is one going to find a suitable place? People need food.
Emma Härdmark, HYPERLINK mailto:emma.hardmark@dn.se emma.hardmark@dn.se
and Stefan Lundberg. stefan.lundberg@hbl.fi
Translated by Eileen Hedström, 22 may 2007
