The salmon fishing season in the rivers of Asturias has ended with a total of 108 catches, representing an 18% drop compared to the previous year, according to information provided by the Ministry of Rural Environment. The department will analyze these figures along with the main scientific indicators in order to define new conservation actions for the species.
By river basin, the Narcea was the river with the highest number of salmon caught, with 66 specimens until the early closure of the season on June 19, once the established quota was met. Four more fish destined for fish farm breeding programs are added to this figure. In the Sella, 23 catches were recorded, two less than in the previous season, while in the Cares-Deva, 14 were registered, double that of 2025. In the Esva, five salmon were caught, and in the Eo, no catches were made.
With the season now concluded, the ministry will now carry out the counting of underwater breeder censuses, a necessary task to complete the assessment of the current state of the populations.
The situation of the Atlantic salmon continues to show a downward trend throughout the entire Atlantic arc. Although different hypotheses are being considered, scientific studies mainly point to factors of marine origin as the main cause of this decline.
The Government of Asturias has developed various protection measures in recent years, including captive breeding and restocking programs, the creation of specific refuges for breeders, the expansion of closed sections, and the reduction of fishing effort.
In the 2026 season, a limit of a single salmon with mortality per angler per season was established, in addition to allowing another specimen in catch-and-release mode. Added to this are new time restrictions and the early closure of the upper sections of the salmon rivers.