Over the last forty years, salmon numbers have more than halved, from 8 – 10 million in the early 1980s to 3 – 4 million in 2016, according to NASCO, the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.
The new Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) President in the UK, Earl Percy, said: “We are sleep walking into a global ecological tragedy. The Atlantic salmon is a keystone species, central to aquatic biodiversity, an indicator of pristine freshwater environment and a bell-weather for environmental change.
Salmon carry information about the condition of the oceans right back to the rivers and this drastic decline is symptomatic of widespread problems thousands of miles away. We need to understand what is happening and initiate reforms that will save much more than just the Atlantic salmon.”
Earl Percy will be the AST’s third President since the charity was founded at Fishmongers’ Hall London in 1967, and is endorsed by the Atlantic Salmon Trust’s Patron HRH The Prince of Wales.
“The work of the AST is invaluable to increase our understanding of the pressures our wild salmon stocks are under,” said Earl Percy. “Studying the salmon’s environment and lifecycle will provide answers to where and why our salmon are struggling. Without empirical data to inform often sceptical decision-makers, it will be impossible to effectively contribute to positive policy formation that is desperately required to protect our entire marine environment.
The areas of most concern are the coastal zone and wider ocean – marine survival in the East Atlantic has declined from over 15% in the 1980s to less than 5% in the last five years. The AST are utilising new scientific and technological advances to make research into this vast area possible and developing new techniques to track salmonid migration, identifying problems at different stages of their journey.
In addition to its ecological importance, the Atlantic salmon generates economic benefits, particularly to remote, rural communities. The salmon is the highest valued species in freshwater game fishing and draws anglers from around the world. Most are passionate about the salmon and make a practical contribution to the conservation effort. In Scotland, 80% of rod caught salmon are now returned to the river.
Since 1967, the Atlantic Salmon Trust has been leading the way in research into migratory salmonids. With over £20 million raised, projects have successfully and radically altered the way in which salmon have been managed during the Trust’s existence.
2017 marks the Trust’s 50th anniversary and the AST will be holding an International Scientific Symposium and Gala Fundraising Dinner, hosted by the new President, to launch a new 10-year Science Strategy and three major research initiatives in the marine environment. The celebrations will take place at Syon House, London. Information on tickets will be available on the AST website in due course. The AST is funded by private donation. If you would like to make a donation please visit the AST website at www.atlanticsalmontrust.org
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