The Atlantic salmon’s life begins in the gravelly redds (nests) of clear, cool, and oxygen-rich Scottish rivers. These are the spawning grounds, often located in the upper reaches of catchments, where the adult salmon have journeyed thousands of miles to reproduce. After hatching, the tiny fish, known as alevins, remain in the gravel, absorbing their yolk sacs. They then emerge as fry, growing into parr over one to three years, identifiable by their distinctive vertical markings.

During this freshwater phase, the young salmon feed on insects and small invertebrates, growing stronger before undertaking one of nature’s most incredible migrations. As they prepare for their sea journey, they undergo a physiological transformation, becoming silvery smolts, adapting their bodies for saltwater. The smolts then migrate downstream to the estuaries and out into the vast North Atlantic Ocean.

Once at sea, they journey to rich feeding grounds, often off the coasts of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, where they grow rapidly, feeding on smaller fish and squid. Some return after just one year, known as “grilse,” while others spend two or more years at sea, becoming “multi-sea-winter salmon” – larger and more powerful. Their instinct then guides them with astonishing accuracy back to their natal rivers, and often to the very stretch of river where they were born, to complete their life cycle by spawning. This incredible return journey, often involving leaps over waterfalls and navigating strong currents, is a testament to their strength and determination.

The conservation of Scottish Atlantic salmon is a critical priority, with many organizations and government bodies working tirelessly to reverse the decline. Recognizing the species’ vulnerable status, conservation efforts are multi-faceted:

• Habitat Restoration: Projects focus on planting trees along riverbanks to provide shade and stabilize banks, removing redundant barriers to fish passage, and restoring natural river morphology to create better spawning and nursery grounds.

• Catch and Release: Many Scottish rivers and beats have implemented mandatory or highly encouraged catch-and-release policies for salmon, particularly for spring fish, allowing more adults to spawn and contribute to future generations.
• Fishery Management: District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs) and Rivers and Fisheries Trusts manage individual river systems, setting local conservation regulations, monitoring fish stocks, and controlling illegal fishing.
• Addressing Aquaculture Impacts: Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of salmon farming through stricter regulations on sea lice management, research into closed containment systems, and improved biosecurity measures to prevent escapes.

• Research and Monitoring: Acoustic tracking projects and genetic studies are enhancing our understanding of salmon migratory routes, survival rates, and the impacts of various pressures, informing more effective management strategies.
• International Collaboration: Given the salmon’s extensive marine migrations, international cooperation through bodies like the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) is vital to manage stocks across their entire range.

Anglers themselves play a crucial role, adhering to conservation codes, reporting sightings of non-native species, and contributing financially through permits and association memberships to fund conservation work.