Atlantic Salmon
Species Information
Statistics
Scientific name: Salmo salar
Length:Â 1.2-1.5m
Weight:Â up to 40kg
Average lifespan:Â up to 13 years
 Conservation status
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Atlantic salmon are listed on schedule 3 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. For Schedule 3 species, it’s an offence to use certain methods to catch or take fish in freshwater.
When to see
January to December
About
The Atlantic salmon is a large fish that is found in the cleanest rivers. It spends most of its time at sea but returns to spawn in the same river or steam in which it hatched. They travel upstream from November to February. Atlantic salmon can often be seen jumping over weirs and other obstacles to get to the gravelly headwaters where they breed. When they reach their breeding ground, females dig depressions in the gravel. In the depressions known as ‘redds’, the eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the water. Juveniles will stay in freshwater for up to six years after which they will migrate to the sea where morphological changes allow them to survive in salt water. Little is known about the migration pathways of young or returning adults. Some research has shown that post-smolts move in schools when heading to deep-sea feeding areas. Some of these fish feed in the Norwegian Sea and the waters off southwest Greenland. Atlantic salmon are predators that feed on small fish and invertebrates.
How to identify
The Atlantic salmon is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae, the same family as brown trout. Adult Atlantic salmon are much larger than brown trout. Salmon are silvery with a few dark spots on the back and may have a pinkish flush to the belly. Mature males may develop a hooked lower jaw, or ‘kype’, in the breeding season.
Did you know ?
Atlantic salmon can clear seemingly insurmountable obstacles during its journey to spawn. Atlantic salmon have been known to leap vertical obstacles more than 3 metres tall. These obstacles do take energy to pass and manmade barriers such as weirs are considered one of the most pressing threats to salmon populations.Â
How you can help?Â
Did you know you can help wildlife in your local river ? You can do this in many ways from reporting pollution to SEPA, by not flushing wet wipes down the toilet and even at one of our many conservation volunteer days. Check out our Get Involved page for more information on how you can get involved with your local river.