In Norway's far north, the wild Atlantic salmon is more than a species; it's a way of life. Locals even call it laksefeber, or salmon fever, to capture the community's passion. Yet a growing threat has emerged: invasive Pacific pink salmon overrunning rivers and competing for spawning grounds.
Once introduced to Russia in the 1960s, pink salmon have spread into Norwegian waters, crowding out native fish and polluting streams after their brief life cycle ends. On iconic rivers like the Tana, traditional wooden traps still sort fish by hand. But in the smaller waterways of Finnmark, a high-tech solution has taken hold.
Partnering with local fishermen, a pioneering team deployed an AI-powered fish trap that scans each swimmer in milliseconds. Advanced cameras and algorithms identify native Atlantic salmon with 94 percent accuracy, guiding them downstream, while diverting pink salmon into holding tanks. In one season alone, the system removed over 6,000 invaders from a single river.
Behind the project is a global technology firm working directly with the Berlevag Hunting and Fishing Association. Their collaborative design respects both the instincts of the salmon and the expertise of the community, blending centuries-old knowledge with modern data science.
The challenge isn't over: hundreds of rivers face invasion, and climate-driven floods shorten the window for installations. Yet this fusion of tradition, local dedication, and AI innovation offers hope. For those who live by these rivers, letting salmon fever fade away is not an option, and thanks to this unlikely alliance, the wild Atlantic salmon may still run strong.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
