Wildlife

Wild UK Atlantic Salmon Welfare

The welfare of wild Atlantic salmon in UK rivers facing multiple threats including water temperature, barriers, and marine survival.

Key Facts

Wild Atlantic salmon populations in the UK have declined dramatically in recent decades
River barriers prevent access to spawning grounds for returning adults
High summer water temperatures now regularly exceed salmon thermal tolerance in some UK rivers
Marine survival has fallen due to changes in prey availability in the North Atlantic
Catch and release angling is now practiced widely to minimize impact on declining populations

Welfare Considerations

Wild Atlantic salmon face welfare threats across their entire life cycle from freshwater hatching through marine feeding to returning spawning migration. River barriers prevent reproduction, while warming rivers cause thermal stress and mortality. Recovery requires addressing all threats simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects that remove barriers to salmon migration
Advocate for water quality improvement to maintain suitable salmon river temperatures
Choose seafood alternatives to support rebuilding of wild salmon populations