It is with great sadness that salmon conservationists and anglers around the Atlantic learnt of the death of Orri Vigfússon. Orri worked tirelessly to restore wild Atlantic salmon to their natural abundance. One of Orri’s greatest achievements was to put in place a financial support package for salmon fishermen in Greenland. This package consolidated the international agreement to end the commercial fisheries off the Greenland coast and to limit fishing to a far smaller inshore subsistence fishery.
Our deepest sympathy to Orri’s family and friends.
Sarah Bayley Slater – CEO Atlantic Salmon Trust
The Sad Passing of International Salmon Conservationist
Mr. Orri Vigfússon
The North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) announced with great sadness, the passing of their founder and Chairman Mr. Orri Vigfússon.
Mr Vigfússon succumbed to lung cancer at Iceland’s national hospital in Reykjavík on July 1st 2017, only nine days short of his 75th birthday. Mr. Vigfússon has for 27 years, tirelessly fought for the survival and restoration of the wild Atlantic salmon through the North Atlantic Salmon Fund earning him the admiration and respect of environmentalists all over the world. He was recognised internationally for his vital conservation work and was awarded with numerous distinguished awards. He is survived by his wife Unnur Kristinsdóttir, 2 children and 3 granddaughters.
The funeral service will be held in Reykjavík at Hallgrímskirkja, July 10th at 13:00.
Obituary The Telegraph 4th July 2017