Over 250 people attended a conference, ‘ Wild Salmon Connections, ‘ at Fishmongers Hall in London, in the last week of January. Representatives included Government Ministers and NGOs from all the Coastal States that have Indigenous populations of both Atlantic and Pacific wild salmon:
“Wild Salmon Connections will tell the story of wild salmon and nature to inspire urgent action: enable positive solutions to promote wild salmon recovery and accelerate nature restoration for salmon, people, and the planet.”
This was a chance to show we all have a common objective and share ideas and solutions from across the Globe, brought together by the Missing Salmon Alliance:
The Missing Salmon Alliance is a group of conservation bodies brought together to drive and inspire actions to secure healthy wild Atlantic salmon: the Angling Trust, Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fish Legal, Game Conservancy & Wildlife Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland, and the Rivers Trust.
Their combined abilities cover science and research, catchment restoration, community representation, advocacy, and campaigning. Wild Salmon Connections also brought together The Atlantic Salmon Foundation, Norwegian Salmon Rovers, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and Long Live the Kings to represent the global efforts to restore wild salmon.
The key messages were:
The event was divided into three themes: Inspiring people, the Environmental value of wild salmon, and focusing on the future. Irish journalist Ella McSweeney, a Zoology graduate from Trinity College Dublin, moderated all three. The format was a mix of presentations and panel discussions with questions from the audience.
What stood out was a passion for salmon. While we share many similar challenges, the solutions were sometimes different. In this article, I capture some of the fascinating information nuggets. Still, all underpin wild salmon’s vital role as an indicator species—get this right, and we solve many environmental problems.
A clear difference is the cultural significance of salmon within the North American Indian and Canadian First Nations communities, which has generated a groundswell of attention. We have lost so much of that in Europe, which explains the importance of communications.
With a mixed audience, this was about taking action—asking the hard questions rather than remaining in an echo chamber. It reflects our times that every mention of salmon requires the prefix “wild”—a necessity born from the unfortunate intertwining of farmed and wild salmon in modern discourse.
We convened at the magnificent Fishmongers’ Hall—London Bridge—graciously hosted by the Fishmongers’ Company and opened by their Director, Andrew Sutcliffe. This historic institution has been involved in fisheries across the British Isles for over 750 years, from their medieval origins as guardians of fish quality in the City of London to their modern role as active supporters and funders of charitable projects in freshwater and marine environments.
DAY ONE Inspiring people
Monday highlighted wild salmon as a vital indicator of our planet’s health, emphasizing their economic, social, and environmental significance. This provided essential context to strengthen advocacy efforts and inform policy-making.
The opening sequence was a video of Atlantic salmon travelling upstream with a voice-over by Actor Dominic West.
Mark Bilsbury, CEO of Atlantic Salmon Trust, formerly opened the day with a message from His Majesty the King expressing his support and encouragement.
Wild Salmon in Crisis
Children from the Thames Salmon School Project talked about their experiences in citizen science, the life cycle of wild salmon, and an articulation of the scientific benefits of eDNA. All children are inspired by nature, and we fail society by our lack of Natural History in the curriculum past the Primary school level. Note we have a GCSE for Natural History ‘ready baked’ by the OCR exam board, but to date, it has been put on the back burner.
“We owe it to our children to hand over rivers healthy with salmon.”
Fawn Sharp, Quinault Tribal member and former president of the National Congress of American Indians, passionately discussed how their land, with 5% of the people, holds 80% of the bio-diversity and how they can rise above politics by coming together.
“Salmon cannot get out of the river to defend themselves” so we have to do it
Professor Sir Dieter Helm of Oxford University spoke about salmon in the context of natural capital, emphasizing the need to value our natural assets in perpetuity—ensuring we do not leave them in a worse state for future generations. The key message was clear: we must do the maintenance.
Salmon, for example, are a free asset if we manage their environment within safe limits. Modern technology now allows us to measure critical river catchment data—such as flow rates—and model different scenarios. So why, despite this capability, do we still allow soil runoff from eg maize to silt up our rivers?
Katrina Conners, Pacific Salmon Foundation presented striking data showing a decline in “spawner abundance” of over 70%, with Chum and Steelhead being the hardest hit. The northern regions—Yukon and the Central Coast—are warming the fastest, compounding the challenges for these already vulnerable populations.
However, there is some positive news—Coho abundance in the Fraser catchment has increased. This recovery, driven by habitat improvements, highlights the tangible impact of targeted conservation efforts.
Dr. Alan Walker, Chair of the ICES Working Group on North Atlantic Salmon, highlighted the stark decline in adult wild salmon numbers in the North Atlantic—now estimated at approximately 3 million, down from around 7 million in the early 1980s. This drop persists despite commercial salmon fishing having peaked in 1973 with a harvest of 3.5 million fish.
A particularly concerning indicator of the species’ pressures is that it now takes twice the number of eggs to produce a single adult, underscoring the multiple challenges salmon encounter throughout their lifecycle.
The Health of our Natural Environment
Louie Porter, Atlantic Salmon Federation, based in New Brunswick, Canada, suggested that we often approach salmon conservation through a narrow lens and should instead consider the broader picture—incorporating Land, Coast, and Ocean regions. He stressed the need for stronger legal frameworks to safeguard these ecosystems.
Porter highlighted the successful recovery of Bluefin tuna as a hopeful example. Bluefin tuna are now becoming widespread along the west of the UK, proving that recovery is achievable with effective management.
Mark Lloyd, Head of The Rivers Trust UK—an umbrella organization for all the Rivers Trusts nationwide—discussed their approach known as the Catchment Partnership. This initiative promotes an integrated land and water management strategy by bringing together various stakeholders to improve river health.
He also highlighted The Rivers Trust’s role as a one-stop shop for both local and national data on the various threats affecting the UK’s rivers. With an open-source policy, the organization ensures that a wide range of users can freely access multiple datasets, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making.
A current campaign surrounding the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, Somerset, is raising concerns over its massive water intake system. The station’s intakes will draw in an Olympic swimming pool’s worth of water every 12 seconds—exceeding the combined normal flow of all the rivers feeding into the Severn Estuary.
The Rivers Trust has been advocating for the use of acoustic deterrents to prevent fish, including salmon, shad, and eels, from being sucked into the system. However, the organization was disappointed by the Prime Minister’s dismissal of the issue as merely affecting “a few fish,” downplaying the potential impact on vital aquatic ecosystems.
The Value of Salmon and their Habitat
Elle Adams, Findhorn Watershed Initiative emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of connection by seeing everyone as belonging to a place and recognizing the deep human relationship with salmon.
The initiative has brought together 28 landowners working collectively to restore the river ecosystem. Their efforts focus on planting trees along the riverbanks to improve habitat and water quality and reduce the deer population to allow natural vegetation regeneration.
A panel discussion highlighted the economic and cultural value of angling, noting that a wild salmon caught in Scotland could be worth up to £1,320, while in England, its value could reach as much as £8,000.
Throughout the discussion, the importance of local knowledge and volunteers was repeatedly emphasised, particularly in efforts such as counting salmon redds.
Additionally, the rise in wild swimming has contributed to greater public awareness of river health and reinforced the need for stronger protection and stewardship.
Lara Stroh presented a striking comparison of the River Rhine in 1419 alongside a modern-day image. The historical depiction showed a multi-braided stream meandering through an extensive forest, whereas today, much of the river has been canalized, confining it to one side of the floodplain.
In the 15th century, the Rhine supported a thriving salmon population, with around 300 salmon regularly caught yearly as far upstream as Bern—an impressive 1,200 km from the sea. This highlighted the river’s ecosystem’s historical richness and the dramatic changes human intervention brought over time. In 1443, an astonishing 802 salmon were caught in a single day at Fulda, a tributary of the River Weser, which ultimately connects to the Rhine. However, by the 1950s, urbanisation and, in particular, the construction of hydroelectric dams had driven wild salmon populations in both the Rhine and the Elbe to extinction.
Hope! Thriving Wild Salmon at the heart of healthy Ecosystems
Gudni Guðbergsson, Marine and Research Institute of Iceland explained the country’s history of fisheries management and conservation laws. As early as 1245, a law was passed requiring all rivers to remain accessible and passable for fish, demonstrating Iceland’s early commitment to sustaining fish populations.
Fishing rights in Iceland are tied to land ownership, and in 1932, ocean fishing for adult salmon was banned to protect migrating stocks. Initially, salmon fishing in rivers was permitted for 150 days per year, but this has since been significantly reduced to approximately 90 days, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance conservation with traditional angling.
Research has been conducted on salmon bycatch in ocean fisheries, particularly following the sudden appearance of large schools of pelagic mackerel in Icelandic waters. During this period, it was estimated that 5.5 salmon were caught per 1,000 tonnes of mackerel. These salmon were most likely of North European origin, and while the mackerel have now moved, it begs the question: What is happening in the North Atlantic to the west of Norway?
Jack Bloomer, the Tyme River Trust presented the improvements to salmon abundance in the river Tyne, which is now the best salmon river in England. Salmon barely existed in the year 2,000 , however, Jack puts down the success due to the pollution act of 1964, a reduction in industry and the opening of the Kielder hatchery in 1979.
DAY TWO Environmental value of wild salmon
Tuesday focused on demonstrating success and leadership, driving stakeholders to act further. Key discussions explored catchment-based approaches, highlighted progress in barrier removal, and debated the complex interactions between aquaculture and wild salmon. Throughout the day, there was a strong emphasis on the urgency of action, with calls for accelerated efforts to restore river ecosystems and protect wild salmon populations.
We were privileged to have three ministers speak during the day. They brought their own perspectives on environmental and rural affairs and highlighted the significance of the event.
Their contributions underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and species like salmon, which are international by nature.
Andreas, in particular, emphasised the urgent need to reform salmon farming, highlighting Norway’s responsibility as the world’s largest producer of farmed salmon. He pointed out the industry’s significant challenges, including unprecedented levels of sea lice in 2024, which a warming climate has exacerbated. Additionally, he raised concerns about the dangerous levels of escaped farmed salmon. Norway has a critical role in addressing these issues and leading toward more sustainable aquaculture practices. It was an upbeat, positive message, where he confirmed aquaculture was an existential threat to wild salmon.
Note salmon farming is worth an estimated £1b to the Scottish economy and employs 12,000 people.
Ella McSweeney moderating asked some direct questions to Mairi Gougeon:
“Do you agree with Norway that salmon is an existential threat to wild salmon?” Mairi replied yes and that a wild salmon strategy was being worked.
“Is open net salmon farming sustainable in Scottish waters, and what are your views on closed containment?” Mairi replied that it is OK, but it can be reformed and innovated, e.g., further offshore.
Andreas Eriksson argued that open-net farming had reached a biological limit and that no further licenses should be approved in Norway. He emphasised the need for more sustainable methods and practices in salmon farming to protect the environment and wild salmon populations.
As noted by Eriksson, one key difference between Norway and the UK is their stance on catch-and-release. In Norway, catch-and-release is not allowed, based on the belief that around 10% of released fish die anyway.
Addressing Climate Change
Jason Hwang, Pacific Salmon Federation highlighted the immense scale of the Yukon catchment, where Chinook salmon undertake an extraordinary journey of 3,200 kilometers from the sea to their spawning grounds. This vast region involves overseeing 200 individual catchments and 400 distinct genetic units. Along the way, these salmon face numerous challenges, including droughts, floods, wildfires, and various barriers.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Wildfire Playbook is a first-of-its-kind resource to offer solutions to help salmon and their habitats recover after wildfires burn in salmon-bearing watersheds by compiling best practices and offering guidance to integrate salmon into ecological post-wildfire recovery planning and action
Valérie Ouellet, Atlantic Salmon Federation raised concerns about whether the world is becoming too warm for Atlantic salmon. Each stage of their life cycle is impacted, but the most affected are the multi-sea-winter fish, which have longer migration routes. These fish are forced to chase cooler areas where zooplankton, rich in lipid fats, are found. As a result, they have to exert more energy to survive, and by aggregating in smaller, more concentrated zones, potentially become increasingly vulnerable to predation.
Smolts leave the rivers earlier when feeding conditions may not be optimum, and adults return earlier when the river may not be ready. These changing conditions highlight the crucial need to preserve genetic diversity, which is essential for helping a species adapt to shifting environments. A diverse genetic pool increases the likelihood that some individuals will have traits that enable them to survive and thrive under new conditions, ensuring the long-term resilience and survival of the species.
Jacques White, Long Live the Kings, focusing on the Salish Sea, explained the differing migration patterns of Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead. Coho salmon migrate north along the coast, following a more coastal route. On the other hand, Steelhead head straight west into the open ocean for their migration. The estuaries, however, play a particularly critical role for Chinook salmon. Each species’ unique migration route highlights the varied environmental needs that must be preserved for their populations to thrive.
Steelhead predation by harbour seals has increased from 5% to 90%
Unfortunately, the Chinook smolts’ higher dependence on estuaries has made them more vulnerable to several threats, including predation and the proximity of aquaculture operations and contaminants, which makes them more vulnerable to disease. This focused on estuary restoration and simple actions to prevent seal haulouts on log jams. Nature helped with an increase in seal-feeding killer whales.
Fisheries and Bycatch – A problem for Wild Salmon
Sophie Elliot, GWCT highlighted by-catch as one of salmon’s largely unseen challenges. Her key message was that by-catch is significantly underreported, with nearly all available data coming from demersal fisheries despite salmon being a pelagic species.
A recent survey provided insight into the relative risks posed by different fisheries. The blue whiting fishery poses a low risk, as these fish swim below 200 meters. Sardine and horse mackerel fisheries present a lesser risk, but the highest risk comes from mackerel and herring fisheries. These species migrate near the surface, directly overlapping with the migration routes of salmon smolts, making them more susceptible to incidental capture. This underreported issue underscores the need for more comprehensive monitoring and mitigation efforts to protect ocean salmon populations. Pacific Chinook has a 100% sampling of by-catch.
Hannah Rudd, the Angling Trust highlighted the staggering global impact of by-catch, citing estimates of around 20 million sharks, 400,000 birds, and 300,000 cetaceans caught each year. While the UK has a management plan for inshore fisheries and species like bass, there is currently no strategy for anadromous fish. Alarmingly, salmon are only legally recognised as river fish.
Dr. Tom Appleby discussed the legal challenges in protecting Atlantic salmon, highlighting the irony that even the Magna Carta, dated 1225, mandated the removal of all fish weirs from the River Thames.
Beyond domestic laws, several international agreements aim to protect salmon, including the Bern Convention, ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), and the OSPAR Commission. However, the main international body specifically focused on Atlantic salmon is NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization). While NASCO does not always have the legal authority to enforce policies, it plays a crucial advisory role, guiding signatory governments on salmon conservation strategies.
Current legal battles illustrate the complexities of salmon protection. Cases include damage to fish populations caused by the Hinkley Point power station and the EU taking legal action against the UK over its ban on sand eel fishing. Notably, Iceland has never allowed sand eel fishing, recognising its fundamental role at the base of the marine food chain, supporting fish, birds, and marine mammals.
Pressures in Coastal Waters
Paul Mugaas, Norske Lakseelver represents 128 rivers and 10,000 river owners in Norway and advises the Government on the health. He articulated the three critical issues in Norway, all originating from acquaculture: farmed escapees, sea lice infestation and diseases, with some sobering facts:
In 2023, during the marine phase, 65 million farmed salmon died in Norway due to infectious diseases—a staggering 16.7% of the total population.
it takes 2.5 kilograms of feed to produce just 1 kilogram of farmed salmon, which in Norway alone translates to a total feed consumption of 340,000 tonnes.
Climate change is exacerbating existing problems. A mere 2% increase in sea temperature can cause sea lice populations to explode,
Paul suggested the only way to bring the lice to zero is to phase out all open net pens with a permit license incentive to move to a land-based closed system- CLOSE THE PENS
Anne Anderson is Head of Sustainability at Scottish Sea Farm, which farms salmon on Scotland’s West and north coasts. Anne made the case that all their stewardship is based on the 1974 Pollution Act. Before joining Sea Farms, Anne was the Scottish regulator, and compared to other meat production, their impact was very small. It was noted that any Government fines go straight to the exchequer. Anne said to reduce threats to wild salmon, three key actions were proposed:
Sandra Eide, Eide Fjordbruk Norwegian fish farms posed an important question: Can salmon farming coexist with and protect wild salmon populations? And further, can we make aquaculture sustainable? Kill sea lice, and we can coexist with wild salmon. Eide spoke about contained pens with zero lice and how the company can innovate and not spend all board meetings discussing lice treatment. If the Government legislates, they will innovate.
However, she said moving further offshore would be a disaster, resulting in more escapees through storm damage. Elle asked about feed sources, and Sea Farms replied that none of their food comes from West Africa.
Cold, Clean, Water in Free-Flowing Rivers
Alison Matthews, Rivers Trust discussed the campaign to save salmon in the English Chalk streams and said that only 133 adult fish returned to the river Itchen in 2024. Charles Rangely Wilson has put together a plan for the chalk streams, and several bodies, including the Test and Itchen Association and critically Southern Water, backed up by the Environment Agency, Wessex Rivers Trust, and the Atlantic Salmon Trust, are pulling together a 25-year plan. This could act as a blueprint for other chalk streams.
Actor and activist Jim Murray supports the program, adding energy to the room. He urged everyone to stand up and act now.
Torfinn Evensen, Norske Lakseelver presented the effects of barriers towards Norwegian rivers and the corundum on green power, reducing our biodiversity.
The River Dee in Aberdeenshire has experienced an alarming 89% decline in its adult salmon run between 2002 and 2022. Lorraine Hawkins, River Dee Trust emphasized the importance of engaging all stakeholders within the catchment to address this crisis. As part of their efforts, they have launched the “Save the Spring” campaign, drawing attention to the rapid decline of the spring salmon run.
With the genetic distinction of salmon in some upper tributaries facing existential danger, a groundbreaking trial is underway. Smolts have been captured and, in partnership with the University of Stirling, are being reared to maturity in closed tanks before being returned to their place of origin this summer. This experimental approach aims to reduce the high natural loss of smolts before they can return to spawn.
Each fish is tagged, and a DNA sample is taken, allowing future progeny to be traced back to individual parents. Meanwhile, ongoing habitat restoration remains crucial—stabilising river gravels and providing shade to protect water quality and support salmon recovery.
Nathan Wilbur, the Atlantic Salmon Foundation provided an overview of the situation in the East Atlantic. While the ASF sees declines in Atlantic salmon along most of the North Americas East Coast, populations in North Labrador are increasing due to warmer conditions creating a better environment.
Leadership for salmon, people and Planet
Kathryn Berry BECI and Pices & Jon Emery Atlantic Salmon Trust brought forward solutions to help people make the right decisions with the ‘Likely Suspect Framework’, and a Decision Support Tool to help conservationists model likely outcomes by inputting their own data. A key data gap remains in the marine phase.
Kim Damon–Randall of NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation) and Allan Wells from the Missing Salmon Alliance presented the goals and objectives of NASCO as an independent body advising Governments. They were very clear, urging innovation in aquaculture with zero sea lice and closed container farms. However, there is a question with NASCO in that its charter is for the high seas and not coastal waters
Daniel Zeichner, the UK’s Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, emphasised the importance of clean rivers and nature recovery. He underscored the government’s commitment to improving the health of rivers, lakes, and seas, ensuring nature’s recovery, and safeguarding communities from flooding. Zeichner called for stricter enforcement of water pollution regulations, specifically to prevent water companies from discharging sewage into rivers and has supported banning harmful pesticides like neonicotinoids to protect biodiversity.
He called out farmers as essential custodians of the natural environment, recognising their role in conservation and sustainable land management.
DAY THREE Focusing on the future
Day three focused on the critical role of finance, demonstrating partnerships and. reaching out to show how the salmon world is reday for investment.
Our keynote speaker was Alastair Fothergill, director and co-founder of Silverback Films, renowned for producing acclaimed documentaries such as David Attenborough’s Wild Isles and Our Planet. Alastair highlighted the significant educational impact of Wild Isles, which successfully raised £2.6 million to support small conservation projects. He emphasised the importance of recognising and celebrating what we should be proud of in the UK, which comes with recognising our responsibility to protect and care for our natural environment. This includes
With his wealth of experience, Alastair suggested that just as the polar bear symbolizes the Arctic and the orangutan represents the rainforest, the Atlantic salmon should be the flagship species for freshwater ecosystems. As a film producer, he emphasized the power of imagery in driving change. For example, striking footage of puffins feeding on sand eels was key in persuading former DEFRA Minister Thérèse Coffey to support the ban on sand eel fishing.
There was a question of why aquaculture was not called out in Wild Isles as part of the problem.
Fothergill emphasized that Wild Isles was a film about hope, aiming to reconnect people with the incredible wildlife in the UK. It was never intended to be negative. He is now working on a more in-depth documentary focused solely on Scotland, where he will highlight the environmental risks of aquaculture. He was evident in his stance that open-cage salmon farming should be phased out, and this message will be a key part of the story.
Scaling up catchment restoration
Dr. Ann Willis, Director of American Rivers, provided a striking perspective, highlighting that for the first time in our planet’s history, the mass of human-made materials—our technomass—now exceeds the Earth’s total biomass. This milestone underscores the profound impact of human activity on the natural world and the urgent need for conservation and sustainable practices. She showed examples of how they take out large dams and return rivers to their original valleys.
Mike Menser, the Pacific Salmon Foundation highlighted the power of community engagement in conservation efforts. He shared insights from a survey in British Columbia, where an overwhelming 86% of residents ranked saving salmon as their top environmental concern. This statistic underscores the deep cultural and ecological significance of salmon in the Pacific.
Teresa Dent, CEO of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), stressed that improving water catchments is impossible without the involvement of farmers, as farmland covers 72% of the UK compared to just 8% designated as nature reserves. A key figure in developing cluster farms—now known as Environmental Farmers Groups (EFGs)—she highlighted their positive impact on wildlife. One striking example is the Lower Avon Valley, where these collaborative efforts have led to a doubling in the number of lapwing chicks.
As Mike Menser had noted earlier, he felt his work revolved around 10,000 cups of coffee spent talking to people. Teresa added her own perspective, saying in the South of England, it’s more like 5,000 bacon rolls, while in the North, it’s 5,000 pies and pints! A lighthearted comparison underscoring the importance of relationship-building and community engagement.
Investment ready for ‘Nature Finance’
Peter Williams, Six Rivers Project in Northeast Iceland, which includes the Sela, Midfjardara, Hafralonsa, and Hofsa rivers. He highlighted how these rivers benefit from abundant cold, clean water but face challenges such as overfishing and barriers to upstream movement. Due to limited food availability, the parr in these rivers must survive for three years before reaching the smolt stage—compared to just one year in a nutrient-rich chalk stream.
Peter described an innovative conservation effort where adult, paired salmon are manually transferred upstream to newly accessible headwaters for spawning. This approach has significantly boosted salmon stocks in the Sela.
Alex Adam, The Rivers Trust discussed water stewardship and emphasised the need for more consistent data points to measure river health effectively. He highlighted the importance of standardising units and metrics, particularly for critical factors such as flow rates, nutrients, sediment, and water temperature. These measurements are essential for understanding long-term trends, managing ecosystems, and responding to environmental challenges.
The Power of Collaboration
The conference was wrapped up by Pedro Landale, Chair of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, who left the audience with three key takeaways:
