Wild Salmon Migration: Threats and Conservation

Atlantic salmon undertake one of nature's most extraordinary migrations, returning from ocean feeding grounds to their natal rivers to spawn. This epic journey faces increasing threats from climate change, barriers, and overfishing.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon can travel up to 900km upriver to reach spawning grounds
Wild salmon populations have declined by over 70% across their range since the 1970s
River barriers including dams and weirs block salmon migration routes
Warming ocean temperatures are reducing salmon survival at sea
Farmed salmon escapees can interbreed with wild populations and reduce fitness
The UK has approximately 400 wild salmon rivers with populations in serious decline

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon migrating upstream face exhausting physical demands, making additional stressors particularly harmful. Salmon angling, though generally practiced with catch-and-release, causes physiological stress and physical injury. Proper catch-and-release techniques including minimal handling, barbless hooks, and rapid return to water minimize welfare impacts. Salmon stranded in drying pools during drought conditions may require rescue to deeper water. Restoring free-flowing rivers by removing obsolete barriers is among the most impactful actions for wild salmon welfare and conservation.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects that remove barriers to salmon migration
Choose certified sustainable seafood options and avoid wild Atlantic salmon unless sustainably sourced
Advocate for policies that address the root causes of salmon decline including climate action and farming practices
Participate in local river monitoring and habitat restoration volunteer programs
Donate to organizations like the Atlantic Salmon Trust working on wild salmon conservation
If angling, practice careful catch-and-release with barbless hooks and minimal handling