The Atlantic Salmon Trust is a UK based organisation with Atlantic wide
interests which champions the wild salmon and sea trout - it does not
represent any other interests or body, only the fish themselves. Although
called the 'Atlantic Salmon Trust', it is equally concerned with sea trout.
Set up in 1967, the Trust address concerns many people have about
the decline of fish stocks, as well as the need for practical research
into the problems that have become apparent.
In addition, the Trust aims to:
- Work for the conservation and improvement of wild salmon and sea trout
stocks to a level which allows sustainable exploitation
- Conduct and support marine and freshwater research
- Give practical advice on the management of fisheries and rivers
- Give independent research-based advice to governments, international
and national authorities and to commercial enterprises
- Co-ordinate activities with other conservation, environmental, fishery,
heritage and wildlife agencies and organisations
- Hold and support seminars and workshops to investigate specific issues
- Publish high quality reports and booklets to inform and to educate
Use these links to read further information relating to the Trust on this page:
Facts
- Wild salmon and sea trout return from the sea to spawn in the
rivers in which they hatched
- Since the 1970s the numbers returning to spawn have dropped by
over 50%
- Stocks generally are in decline and so few spring salmon are returning
that special conservation measures are needed
- Sea trout are almost extinct in some rivers on the west coasts
of Scotland and Ireland
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Major Threats
At Sea
- Climate changes affecting feeding and survival opportunities
- Fishing, including unintentional capture when fishing for other species
On the Coast
- Interceptory mixed stock nets
- Fish farms - sea lice, disease and escapees
- Seals and Dolphins
- Pollution
In the Rivers
- Cormorants and sawbill ducks
- Seals and otters
- Pollution and poor habitat
- Obstructions such as dams, weirs and culverts
- Disease
- Poor angling practices
- Poachers
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Some Recent Achievements
- Development, with the Atlantic Salmon Federation in North America,
of the International Atlantic Salmon Accord, as a checklist for
promoting action by governments
- Provision of scientific evidence to support conservation efforts,
such as proof that escaped farmed salmon can interbreed with wild
fish
- Sharing in the initiation of joint action by government, salmon
farmers and wild fish interests to tackle the problem of sea lice
infestation, and to restore stocks on the West Coast of Scotland
- The successful campaign, with the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (UK),
for government support in ending mixed-stock fisheries in England
and Wales
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Current Priorities
- Assisting with the research of the survival of salmon at sea
- Assisting with the restoration of wild salmon and sea trout stocks
in rivers, particularly on the West Coast of Scotland
- Encouraging the reduction of interceptory mixed stock nets
- Supporting the improvement of river habitats and water quality
- Promoting the reduction of industrial and agricultural pollution
- Supporting the improvement of fish farming codes of practice
- Supporting the reduction of mammal and bird predation
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Finances
- The Atlantic Salmon Trust is a charity and receives no government
funding
- It is not a 'membership organisation' - it is funded solely by
contributions from 'supporters'
- Members of its Board and Committee, and its Honorary Scientific
Advisory Panel, give their time free of charge
- There is only a small full-time and part-time staff, and this
allows as much income as possible to be directed towards salmon
and sea trout conservation
- It donates significant funds to practical research projects every
year
- It publishes, and distributes widely, reports and booklets at
low price or free
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Services
- Supporters receive an Annual Journal, 'Report', every Winter and a
Newsletter, 'Scalereadings', in the Summer
- The Trust publishes a wide range of booklets - 'Blue Books' -
covering reports on its scientific work and on aspects of fish and
fishery management. These are available at low cost - or free
- The Trust's own field and research biologist is available to give
lectures and practical instruction to interested groups, and advice
on fish and fishery management normally free of charge.
- The Trust is on site at major fishing and countryside events such
as the CLA Game Fair, the GCT Scottish Fair at Scone and the Highland
Field Sports Fair at Moy. Staff also attend the Chatsworth Angling
Fair and the Welsh Game Fair as well as many other events UK-wide
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How You Can Help
To find out how you can help support the Trust visit the How you can help section of this website.
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Further Information
For further information about the Trust, how it can advise you and how you can help it help wild salmon and sea trout, please visit the contact page
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