Each year, the Norwegian Scientific Advisory Committee for Atlantic Salmon assesses the status of wild salmon in Norway. This summary presents the main findings from the 2025 report.
Foto: Bjørn Barlaup.
The decline of the salmon continues. Norwegian salmon populations are at a historically low level, and the number of salmon returning from the sea to Norway in 2024 hit an all-time low. In fact, three of the past four years have seen very low returns.
Declining salmon populations have led to the closure of salmon fishing in many rivers and much of the sea in recent years. In 2024, the harvestable surplus - salmon that can be caught sustainably - dropped to a record low. Several rivers were closed to fishing during the 2024 fishing season, while strict limits were imposed on fishing in other rivers and remaining sea fisheries.
The cause of the reduced salmon populations is human activities and low survival at sea. The biggest human induced threats are salmon farming and climate change. Salmon lice pose the greatest threat, and there is a risk of worsening conditions due to insufficient measures. Salmon populations in Western and Central Norway are the most diminished, and the impact of fish farming significantly contributes to the low returns and the fact that nearly half of the rivers no longer have any surplus salmon left to fish.
The salmon in the Tana River system is critically endangered. The main cause is previous overexploitation. In 2024, the return was more than halved compared to the already very low levels seen in 2020 to 2023, and there is a risk of further decline in the coming years.
Read full summary of the report (in English).
The 2025 annual report is published in Norwegian.
Ranking of 16 impact factors (2025), according to their effects on wild Atlantic salmon in Norway, and the likelihood of a further negative development. Green indicates the highest confidence level and red the lowest.