Preserving the Broodstock: Why the Status Quo Risks the Future of Our Rivers

With recent optimistic announcements from some salmon conservation organizations regarding the salmon's return, a return to the "status quo" risks forcing the opening of the harvest after a crisis that has lasted for more than three years and could present specific biological risks to the salmon resource.

Short term (1 to 2 years):

Immediate reduction in spawning success: Each salmon harvested is one less spawner. If the 2026 run is good but the harvest is too aggressive, the number of eggs laid in the gravel could fall below the conservation threshold (the minimum needed to replace the current generation).

Pressure on large spawners: If the harvest targets large salmon (often females carrying thousands of eggs), the impact on the river's reproductive capacity is immediate.

Long term (5 years and more):

Weakening of future cycles: Atlantic salmon return to their natal river after an average of five years. An overharvest in 2026 creates a generational gap that won't become apparent until 2031, potentially plunging the river back into a downward spiral.

Loss of genetic diversity: Artificially reducing the population through fishing diminishes genetic diversity. This makes the species less resilient to climate change and disease.

A cautious approach is needed to ensure a sustainable recovery rather than a short-lived success. Here's why complementary protection measures are often more effective than simply catch and release.

1. Catch and Release + Single Barbless Hook

Using a single barbless hook drastically reduces handling time and damage to vital tissues. Combined with mandatory catch and release, this ensures that almost all fish migrating upstream in 2026 will actually be able to spawn in the fall.

2. Heat Protocol (Thermal Closures)

This is a critical measure. When the water temperature exceeds 20°C, salmon accumulate lactic acid and suffer from oxygen deprivation. Even a perfect release can become fatal due to heat stress.

The advantage: We protect the fish during their periods of maximum vulnerability without banning fishing all summer.

3. Protecting thermal refuges

Pools fed by cold water sources are vital "gas stations" where salmon congregate to survive heat waves.

Banning fishing specifically in these areas (often called "sanctuaries") prevents harassing fish already in survival mode, thus preserving their energy for reproduction.

Why is this "better" in the long run?

Rather than viewing salmon as a resource to be consumed immediately (harvested), this strategy treats them as a biological asset that is allowed to flourish. In 2026, if the number of bees increases, these measures would maximize egg laying, creating a safety "cushion" for the more difficult years that may follow.