Wild salmon population declines in Europe

Wild salmon populations in Ireland and Norway are facing significant declines due to environmental and biological factors.

In Ireland, Atlantic salmon stocks have dropped from over one million annual returns in the 1970s to fewer than 200,000. In response to the species being classified as “near threatened,” the Irish government has launched a public consultation to develop conservation and management strategies for the 2027 fishing season. Proposed measures include stricter harvesting thresholds, catch-and-release mandates, and reduced bag limits.

In Norway, salmon and sea trout populations in the Orkla and Gaula rivers are experiencing a crisis characterized by high mortality rates and disease. In the Orkla river, spawning salmon counts have plummeted, with only 14 healthy fish recorded in a recent 3.4-kilometer stretch, compared to an annual average of 1,170 between 2015 and 2025. Researchers are investigating fungal infections, such as saprolegniose, and ulcerative dermal necrosis (UDN) as potential causes. Local associations have recommended fishing bans for 2027, and the Norwegian Environment Agency has indicated that river closures may be necessary for several years.