Photo credit: Michel Roggo
The Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, is listed as ‘LEAST CONCERN’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This species is found throughout the North Atlantic region, where after long marine migrations they home precisely to their natal river to spawn.
The abundance of Atlantic Salmon has declined markedly since the 1970s despite major reductions in fishing effort and other measures. Many river populations are threatened with extinction, particularly throughout their southern range in Europe and North America. Increased natural mortality at sea appears to be a major factor in this decline, potentially associated with climate change. Other threats include river pollution, overfishing and dams. Commercial salmon farms also pose ecological threats, including elevated levels of pathogens, while escaped farm salmon may interbreed with wild salmon.
Significant conservation efforts are underway to help protect the Atlantic Salmon, including those of the inter-governmental North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation. Despite these efforts, abundance remains low and conservation continues to be a challenge for this iconic fish.
Geographic Range of the Atlantic Salmon
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Atlantic Salmon, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.
