NASCO Conference 2026 – Aviemore, Scotland

This year's meeting took place against a backdrop of continuing declines in wild Atlantic salmon populations across much of the North Atlantic. Governments, Indigenous Peoples' representatives, NGOs, scientists, and fisheries managers gathered to review the latest scientific advice, assess conservation progress, and consider the actions needed to reverse these troubling trends. The newsletter highlights several significant developments from the meeting, including: The introduction of Conservation Commitment Reports (CCRs) and NASCO's new accountability framework; Adoption of new habitat protection, restoration, and improvement guidance; Continued concerns regarding climate change and declining salmon abundance; The ongoing impacts of aquaculture on wild salmon populations; Growing recognition of marine mortality and fisheries bycatch as major conservation challenges; The failure of the West Greenland Commission to agree a new regulatory measure for the 2026 fishery; and The priorities and concerns raised by accredited NGOs during the meeting. While important progress was made, particularly in habitat restoration and conservation planning, the meeting also underscored the urgency of the challenges facing wild Atlantic salmon. The discussions reinforced the need for stronger international cooperation, greater ambition in conservation actions, and increased attention to the pressures salmon face throughout their marine migration. We hope this newsletter provides a useful overview of the meeting and contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of wild Atlantic salmon conservation. As always, we welcome your feedback and look forward to continuing to work together to secure a future for this iconic species across the North Atlantic. Newsletter Number 39 - Salmon Watch Ireland NASCO Conference Scotland June 26