Wild Atlantic Salmon in Crisis: Urgent Action Needed

Wild Atlantic salmon are in serious trouble. Across the northern hemisphere, their numbers are falling fast. The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is the only intergovernmental body with the mandate to protect these fish. NASCO brings together representatives from both government and non-governmental organizations to work on conserving, restoring, and managing wild Atlantic salmon.

At NASCO’s recent Annual Meeting in Cardiff, Wales from 3 – 6 June 2025, ASF, along with 21 other accredited environmental NGOs, joined the discussions and played a key role in shaping future plans.

Experts at the meeting delivered stark warnings:

• The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) reported that in 2023 and 2024, most countries saw record-low numbers of salmon returning to their rivers. The lack of recovery across the North Atlantic points to major environmental pressures in the ocean that are harming salmon on a large scale.
• Two upcoming scientific studies are expected to reveal that wild salmon populations are being genetically weakened by interbreeding with farmed salmon. This “introgression” is seen as one of the biggest threats to wild salmon survival and its ability to adapt to climate change and other environmental pressures.

Despite the grim news, there is plenty of cause for optimism:

• Greenland has successfully reduced their catch to below agreed limits, helping protect wild salmon that migrate from Europe and North America to feed in its waters before returning home to spawn.
• Norway has made major progress in eradicating the deadly parasite Gyrodactylus salaris from 48 of its 54 infected rivers.
• In Canada, the federal government launched a Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy, outlining a national approach to protecting and restoring salmon populations through coordinated action, habitat restoration, and Indigenous and stakeholder engagement. The strategy marks a step forward in aligning Canada’s domestic efforts with broader international goals.

Throughout the meeting NGOs pushed hard for NASCO to raise its ambitions. They argued that the strategic goal of merely “slowing the decline” of wild salmon is not enough. They expressed disappointment that NASCO did not show capacity to change this goal based on the latest ICES report.

ASF’s Robert Otto, co-Chair of the NGO group, said:

“If ever there was a time for urgent action to save Atlantic salmon, it is now. We hoped NASCO would exhibit the leadership of the moment and respond commensurately to the challenge before the NASCO attendees collectively.”

NGOs remain committed to the cause. They will continue their own conservation efforts across the North Atlantic and advocate for stronger protections. They also pledged to support each other more closely and show the leadership needed to turn the tide for wild Atlantic salmon.

Working together, these organizations amplify each other’s impact—because no one group can turn this crisis around alone.

The goal is clear: to restore thriving wild salmon populations at the heart of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. It will take urgent, transformative action—which must start now.