Wild Salmon Without Borders

Welcome to Wild Salmon Without Borders

Welcome address by the event hosts, followed by a presentation by Mark Bilsby, CEO of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, about the Atlantic Salmon Trust and what we know so far about the state of wild Atlantic salmon. The presentation will highlight the Trust’s recent large-scale smolt tracking research projects and its recent move towards catchment-scale salmon restoration initiatives in Scotland.

What Salmon Need to Thrive: Cold Clean Water

Alison Baker, Restoration Director at the Atlantic Salmon Trust, talks about the Trust’s ‘Core Rivers’ programme – two catchment-wide restoration initiatives in Scotland focused on restoring wild Atlantic salmon, as well as boosting biodiversity and building climate resilience. These projects both seek to deliver cold, clean water at scale and pace, to benefit not just salmon, but communities too.

Atlantic Salmon in Germany - Yesterday - Today - And Tomorrow?

The presentation shows the historical salmon stocks in Germany and what led to their decline. It will also cover which projects are currently concerned with the reintroduction of salmon to Germany, what their priorities are, and what challenges need to be overcome for a bright future for salmon in Germany.

Film: "Salmo"

An animated film about the life cycle of a salmon, made by Paul Pajot.

Removing Barriers to Fish Migration in Europe

Some European countries have been removing river barriers (e.g.: dams, weirs, culverts, etc.) for almost 30 years. No one was talking about this until Dam Removal Europe (DRE) initiative started in 2016. Who is behind the removal of these barriers? Who pays for it? What are their reasons? Have we observed any improvements? Is there financial aid to remove them?
During this presentation you will discover that over 8,000 barriers have already been removed in Europe alone. Some of these barriers have been removed thanks to the efforts of angling associations from Spain, Norway, Denmark, France… Not only have migratory fish come back to rivers after 100 years, but many other economic, safety, and environmental benefits have also arrived with them.

Film: "Laxaþjóð | A Salmon Nation"

Following a brief introduction about the circumstances which led to the making of Patagonia’s newest film; this impactful exposé on salmon farms in Iceland will be screened.

The Fight against Open Net-Pens Salmon Farming in Iceland – Key Takeaways

How opposition against open net-pen salmon farming has increased from 30% to 70% in Iceland in the last three years. What has worked, what has not.

Wild Salmon Connections: International Collaboration for Wild Salmon

Dr Wendy Kenyon introduces upcoming plans for Wild Salmon Connections – a large international event set to take place in London in 2025, aiming to align wild salmon conservation efforts across both the Atlantic and Pacific.

It Started with a Dream – Fly Fishing and Nature Conservation

Since 1999, the Berlin-Brandenburg fly fishing club Fario e. V. have been supporting the reintroduction of migratory salmonids in Brandenburg. They run a hatchery for salmon and sea trout not far from the river Stepenitz (Elbe). The Stepenitz has won "River Landscape of the Year“ 2024/2025 and is described as one of the last pearls of nature north of Berlin.

Panel Discussion and Q&A: Angling and Salmon Conservation

Discussion about how anglers can help in the battle to restore wild salmon with Klaus Frimor (Denmark), Paddy McDonnell (Ireland), Tom Brown (Scotland), and Thomas Knutsen (Norway).

Can we Save the Wild Salmon and Secure a Sustainable Aquaculture Industry for the Future?

Policies are being proposed in Norway to ensure growth for fish farmers and the protection of wild salmon by converting existing production from open net-pens to semi-closed and closed containment alternatives. Are we approaching a situation where all of the problems facing wild salmon and the aquaculture industry are solved, or are there still dark clouds on the horizon?

Rehabilitation of the Danish Salmon Stocks over the Last 30 Years – With Success!

DCV has worked for more than 30 years to bring wild salmon back to the Danish salmon rivers. Likewise, for the past 15 years, we have worked with the restoration and improvement of the watercourses.
And it has actually succeeded! - Around 6,000 wild salmon are currently caught by anglers in the Danish salmon rivers out of a calculated annual return of approx. 18,000 salmon, a doubling over the last 10 years.

Assisting Migration Passage for Wild Atlantic Salmon

John Olav gives a Norwegian perspective on the topic of fish ladders, both for assisting salmon to migrate past artificial obstacles, as well as to bypass natural barriers in order to open up new habitat and spawning territory.

Film: "Wild Summon"

BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted British animated film about the life cycle of a salmon, made by Karni Arieli and Saul Freed.

Welcome to Wild Salmon Without Borders

Welcome address by the event hosts, followed by a presentation by Mark Bilsby, CEO of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, about the Atlantic Salmon Trust and what we know so far about the state of wild Atlantic salmon. The presentation will highlight the Trust’s recent large-scale smolt tracking research projects and its recent move towards catchment-scale salmon restoration initiatives in Scotland.

What Salmon Need to Thrive: Cold Clean Water

Alison Baker, Restoration Director at the Atlantic Salmon Trust, talks about the Trust’s ‘Core Rivers’ programme – two catchment-wide restoration initiatives in Scotland focused on restoring wild Atlantic salmon, as well as boosting biodiversity and building climate resilience. These projects both seek to deliver cold, clean water at scale and pace, to benefit not just salmon, but communities too.

Atlantic Salmon in Germany - Yesterday - Today - And Tomorrow?

The presentation shows the historical salmon stocks in Germany and what led to their decline. It will also cover which projects are currently concerned with the reintroduction of salmon to Germany, what their priorities are, and what challenges need to be overcome for a bright future for salmon in Germany.

Film: "Salmo"

An animated film about the life cycle of a salmon, made by Paul Pajot.

Assisting Migration Passage for Wild Atlantic Salmon

John Olav gives a Norwegian perspective on the topic of fish ladders, both for assisting salmon to migrate past artificial obstacles, as well as to bypass natural barriers in order to open up new habitat and spawning territory.

Film: "Laxaþjóð | A Salmon Nation"

Following a brief introduction about the circumstances which led to the making of Patagonia’s newest film; this impactful exposé on salmon farms in Iceland will be screened.

The Fight against Open Net-Pens Salmon Farming in Iceland – Key Takeaways

How opposition against open net-pen salmon farming has increased from 30% to 70% in Iceland in the last three years. What has worked, what has not.

Wild Salmon Connections: International Collaboration for Wild Salmon

Dr Wendy Kenyon (Atlantic Salmon Trust/Missing Salmon Alliance) introduces upcoming plans for Wild Salmon Connections – a large international event set to take place in London in 2025, aiming to align wild salmon conservation efforts across both the Atlantic and Pacific.

It Started with a Dream – Fly Fishing and Nature Conservation

Since 1999, the Berlin-Brandenburg fly fishing club Fario e. V. have been supporting the reintroduction of migratory salmonids in Brandenburg. They run a hatchery for salmon and sea trout not far from the river Stepenitz (Elbe). The Stepenitz has won "River Landscape of the Year“ 2024/2025 and is described as one of the last pearls of nature north of Berlin.

Panel Discussion and Q&A: Angling and Salmon Conservation

Discussion about how anglers can help in the battle to restore wild salmon with Klaus Frimor (Denmark), Paddy McDonnell (Ireland), Tom Brown (Scotland), and Thomas Knutsen (Norway).

Can we Save the Wild Salmon and Secure a Sustainable Aquaculture Industry for the Future?

Policies are being proposed in Norway to ensure growth for fish farmers and the protection of wild salmon by converting existing production from open net-pens to semi-closed and closed containment alternatives. Are we approaching a situation where all of the problems facing wild salmon and the aquaculture industry are solved, or are there still dark clouds on the horizon?

Film: "Wild Summon"

BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted British animated film about the life cycle of a salmon, made by Karni Arieli and Saul Freed.