Carlos García de Leaniz was asked about his thoughts on the conservation status, threats and current policies for the protection of Atlantic salmon (salmo salar) in a recent interview in the Galician journal gCiencia.
Although the fishing of salmon in rivers is not considered the main threat to Atlantic salmon populations in the Iberian peninsula, killing or hurting salmon will not help in avoiding its extinction. So why is it still allowed?
The main threat to salmon is the fragmented and degraded habitats in rivers, crucial for this species to complete its life cycle. Fragmentation of river connectivity by man-made barriers in rivers should be targeted for conservation, as well as a more strict regulation of recreational fishing of salmon for allowing its populations to recover.
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