FAQs

The annual salmon stock assessment provides a snapshot of the health of salmon populations across England's principal salmon rivers.

The assessment is published annually using the most recent complete year of monitoring data. The latest assessment, published in 2026, is based on data collected during 2025.

The assessment shows that salmon populations remain under significant pressure, with many rivers supporting fewer salmon than are needed for sustainable populations in the long term.

It provides an important evidence base for understanding population trends, identifying rivers most at risk and helping target recovery activity where it can have the greatest impact.

The annual assessment looks at whether rivers are producing enough salmon to support sustainable populations into the future.

These classifications are based on conservation limits, which help assess whether rivers are producing enough salmon to support healthy, sustainable populations.

The latest assessment found that 40 of England's 42 principal salmon rivers are classified as either "at risk" or "probably at risk".

This does not mean salmon have disappeared from these rivers. Many rivers still support salmon populations.

Instead, these classifications indicate that salmon numbers are below the levels needed to support sustainable populations in the long term.

There is no single reason for the decline in salmon populations.

Atlantic salmon face a range of pressures throughout their lives, both in rivers and at sea. These include climate change, water quality, river flows, habitat condition, barriers to migration and environmental changes in the marine environment.

Scientists believe the decline is linked to pressures affecting salmon throughout their lifecycle, including factors that influence survival in both freshwater and marine environments.

The decline seen today is the result of many of these pressures interacting over time, rather than any single cause.

Atlantic salmon are one of England's most iconic fish species and an important indicator of environmental health.

Because they depend on healthy rivers, estuaries and seas throughout their lives, the health of salmon populations can tell us a great deal about the condition of the wider environment.

Efforts to improve conditions for salmon can also benefit many other species and help create healthier rivers for people and wildlife.

No.

Salmon populations are facing challenges across much of the North Atlantic. Similar declines are being reported in other parts of the UK and internationally.

This highlights the scale and complexity of the challenge facing the species.

Action is taking place across England to improve conditions for salmon recovery.

This includes improving river flows, restoring habitats, improving fish passage, tackling pollution, increasing inspections, supporting catchment partnerships, fisheries enforcement activity and improving scientific understanding of the pressures affecting salmon populations.

Recovery will require sustained action from government, regulators, water companies, environmental organisations, anglers, land managers and local communities.

Salmon have a complex lifecycle. Young salmon can spend up to three years in rivers before migrating to sea, where they may spend one or two years before returning to spawn.

This means it can take several years before improvements in habitat, river health or migration routes are reflected in salmon population numbers.

Recovery is therefore a long term effort, requiring sustained action over many years.

Yes.

While salmon populations remain under significant pressure, recovery is possible when conditions improve.

There are examples from across England where action to improve water quality, restore habitat and reconnect rivers has helped create opportunities for salmon populations to recover.

The return of salmon to parts of the River Don in recent years shows what is possible when rivers are restored and migration routes are reconnected.

Recovery takes time, but practical action can help create the conditions salmon need to thrive.

The Environment Agency has a statutory duty to maintain, improve and develop salmon populations and fisheries in England.

Working with partners, we are taking action to improve river flows, tackle pollution, restore habitat and reconnect rivers for migratory fish. This includes farm inspections, wastewater treatment works inspections, fish passage improvements, habitat restoration projects and fisheries enforcement activity.

Through England's commitments to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), we are also taking action to improve water quantity, water quality and habitat in England's principal salmon rivers.

We continue to monitor salmon populations, improve our understanding of the pressures affecting them and work with government, environmental organisations, land managers and international partners to support long-term recovery.