State of Salmon
Once abundant across the North Atlantic Ocean from North America to Europe, populations of wild Atlantic salmon have declined by nearly 50 percent since 1983. Despite implementation of protective measures and a significant reduction of fisheries worldwide, numbers continue to decline. Causes for declines are complex as salmon are vulnerable to different stressors in their various life stages and environments. In freshwater rivers, developing eggs, young salmon and returning adults experience warming water temperatures, pollutants, habitat degradation, predation, pressure from invasive species, and infectious diseases. For adults at-sea, stressors are highly dynamic and much less thoroughly understood. However, results from current research have suggested that oceanic transformation over the past 20-30 years (within the ocean itself, the salmon's diet, and what is predating upon them) is reducing marine survival and is a main driver of decline. Scientists have also suggested that negative effects on young salmon from freshwater stressors are leading to low marine survival in adults, highlighting the importance of promoting further research into both environments.
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