Salmon film screened at EU Parliament highlights Baltic crisis

Documentary highlights collapse of Baltic salmon stocks

Swedish fly-fisher Emilie Björkman recently presented her documentary Free Falling at the European Parliament in Brussels, highlighting the dramatic decline of wild Baltic salmon populations.

The film follows Ms Björkman, Lars Munk and cinematographer Ted Logart through the 2024 season on Sweden’s northern salmon rivers, documenting the concerning situation facing both the fish and the communities dependent on them. It serves as a “spiritual sequel” to Home Rivers Recycled (2021), which celebrated the salmon’s recovery after near extinction in the 1990s.

Recent data reveals the severity of the crisis. Following peak returns of over 100,000 salmon in 2014 and 2016 on rivers like Torneälven, numbers plummeted to around 20,000 by 2023, with 2024 proving even worse. Some rivers now report catches comparable to the catastrophic levels of the 1990s.

EU Parliament screening draws political attention

The screening, hosted by MEP Niclas Herbst, was attended by European politicians and Commission officials who remained for the entire 40-minute presentation, some even taking notes. Mr Herbst told attendees: “Let’s make this event not a requiem but a wake-up call for the wild Baltic salmon.”

Several officials noted how the film humanised the statistics they regularly review, showing the people whose lives are deeply interconnected with salmon.

Filmmaker hopeful screening prompts action

“Leaving Brussels, I felt 100% positive,” said Ms Björkman. “It felt like they listened. Like they understood. And maybe, just maybe, this could lead to the right action for our wild Baltic salmon.”

More information: undefinedflyfishingproject.com.