A new report indicates Norwegian salmon populations are in critical condition with little sign of recovery. Despite increasingly strict fishing regulations, the number of salmon returning to rivers remains historically low. The Scientific Advisory Council for Salmon Management reports dwindling harvestable surpluses in many areas, highlighting insufficient post-sea survival rates. While 2025 saw a slight improvement over the record low of 2024, salmon returns were still among the weakest recorded since the 1980s. Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen emphasized the urgent need to reverse this negative trend to prevent the potential loss of salmon fishing. The report underscores the necessity of continued, stringent fishing controls to protect the vulnerable species.