Atlantic salmon stocks in the Baltic region have collapsed.

Omissions

• ICES' WGBAST 2025 assessment found all 17 analytically assessed wild salmon stocks in AU 1-4 likely above Rlim and 15 at or above MSY in 2024, so the stocks were not technically 'collapsed' by the formal reference points at the time of the claim.
• The severe decline is driven by sharply reduced adult returns since 2023, which has led ICES to advise zero commercial catch of wild salmon in the Baltic Main Basin and quota cuts in the Gulf of Bothnia for 2025-2026.
• Sources used were published between January and October 2025, i.e., before the session date of 2026-07-09; no 2026 stock-assessment data was retrieved in the searches.

Sources

• PrimarySLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (news)However, since 2023, despite low sea fisheries, adult salmon returning to spawn have sharply decreased. Researchers at SLU warn of this worrying development.
• PrimaryICES - Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in subdivisions 22-31 (Baltic Sea) adviceICES has issued zero-catch advice since [recent years] for wild salmon in the Baltic Main Basin; Atlantic salmon is categorized as 'Vulnerable' on the HELCOM Red List for the Baltic Sea.
• PrimaryICES WGBAST 2025 report (Baltic Salmon and Trout Assessment Working Group)All of the 17 analytically assessed wild salmon stocks in AU 1-4 were likely above Rlim, and 15 were assessed to be at or above RMSY in 2024.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission press release - fishing opportunities for 2026 in the Baltic SeaThe Commission proposes to decrease fishing of Bothnian herring (-62%), herring in the Gulf of Riga (-17%), plaice (-3%) and salmon in the Baltic Sea, following the scientific advice for 2026.
• SecondaryFISH Security (NGO overview of ICES advice on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities)ICES advises a maximum quota of 30 000 salmon taken in the 29N-31 area in 2026, down from 40 000 salmon for 2025.