# Wild salmon population declines in Europe > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wild-salmon-population-declines-in-europe > Updated: 2026-10-23T12:43:59.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Wild salmon populations in Orkla and Gaula face critical decline Wild salmon and sea trout populations in Norway's Orkla and Gaula rivers are facing a critical decline due to disease outbreaks, including UDN and fungal infections, prompting calls for fishing bans. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wild-salmon-populations-in-orkla-and-gaula-face-critical-decline ### 2026-09-30: Ireland launches consultation as wild salmon stocks fall 80% Ireland has launched a public consultation to address a massive decline in wild Atlantic salmon stocks, which have fallen by 80% since the 1970s, proposing new conservation and fishing restrictions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-launches-consultation-as-wild-salmon-stocks-fall-80 --- Cite as: Wild salmon population declines in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wild-salmon-population-declines-in-europe