Coalition: Fish farms endanger wild fish

LONDON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A Norwegian stakeholder in the world’s largest fish-farming company has given environmentalists ammunition in their call for a change in practices.

A coalition that includes environmental, angling and indigenous peoples groups has asked Marine Harvest to move fish-farming operations out of rivers with wild salmon and trout populations, The Guardian reported. The letter cites an interview this year with John Fredriksen, a Norwegian shipping and oil tycoon who owns 29 percent of Marine Harvest.

Fredriksen, an enthusiastic sport fisherman, told a Norwegian newspaper he believes fish farming is contributing to sharp drops in some wild fish populations.

The coalition of 32 groups from Britain, Canada, Norway, Ireland, Iceland and the United States said its members agree with Fredriksen.

Marine Harvest has made no comment on Fredriksen’s remarks.