Sportsman Channel Embarks on Conservation Mission for Threatened Atlantic Salmon
OutdoorHub 03.13.13
Special Fly Fishing the World Episode Educates Viewers on Apex Gamefish Atlantic Salmon and the Heroic Efforts to Ensure Its Survival
Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, has saving the famed yet endangered Atlantic salmon as its goal in a special conservation and educational episode of Fly Fishing the World with guest host Sasha Savic, CEO of MediaCom USA and a longtime salmon conservationist. Traveling to Iceland’s famed River Hosfa, Fly Fishing the World will shine a spotlight on the troubles facing the Atlantic salmon from big nets to habitat degradation. Savic joins Orri Vigfússon, founder of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF), for this unique episode of Flying Fishing the World airing Saturday, March 16 at 9pm ET/PT exclusively on Sportsman Channel.
Savic tells audiences during the show that salmon fishing may not be around for another 10 to 20 years if something isn’t done to maintain and improve their habitat. According to the Atlantic Salmon Federation, salmon is a species that has drawn an international commitment and determination to see that numbers are restored to historic levels – despite dams, acid rain, bad forestry practices and other abuses of the environment.
“This important episode of Fly Fishing the World is one part warning, one part epic adventure, and 100% intense angling action,” said Gavin Harvey, CEO of Sportsman Channel. “We feel a real urgency to provide media attention and resources to this critical conservation imperative.”
Sportsman Channel knew the Atlantic salmon’s story needed to be told, and Savic and Vigfússon make for the perfect narrators. Together, they have more than 50 years of experience in understanding how salmon live, survive and die. “My first salmon was 24 pounds and since then I don’t think I’ve fished for anything else. It’s just different. It’s not fishing, it’s like a religion. And if fishing was a religion, then this has to be one of the cathedrals,” said Savic referring to the beauty that is the River Hofsa.
When not busy leading one the world’s largest media management corporations, Savic commits his time, heart and soul to the pursuit and protection of his beloved Atlantic salmon. He is actively involved with the Atlantic Salmon Federation and NASF. Plus, he’s produced and hosted the film called “A Passion Called Salmon,” which took him more than six weeks and captured 80 hours of film.
The crew’s host for the week is Vigfússon, an Icelandic entrepreneur and environmentalist who Time Magazine named a “European Hero.” He was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2007 for his efforts on saving endangered species. His objective is to “restore the abundance of wild salmon that formerly existed on both sides of the North Atlantic.”
“This is one of those places that’s just so dramatic,” said Savic while fishing the River Hofsa during the show. “The land is being created as we speak. Just to be here is a privilege. There is no feeling like this. This is the best there is.”
Sportsman Channel is supporting not only the episode but conservation issues overall through an ongoing multiplatform effort that includes on-air programming and promotion, digital and social media content, synergies across IMO’s digital and print properties, and partnerships with affiliated industry groups.
