International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Through a unique collaboration with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), State of the Salmon presents a new effort to systematically catalogue the tremendous biodiversity of Pacific salmon, identify important knowledge gaps, and assess the overall condition of wild salmon based on international standards. This effort is intended to provide a means to mark progress toward reversing global trends in biodiversity loss and help safeguard these iconic species.
Salmonid Specialist Group of the IUCN
The Salmonid Specialist Group (SSG) (4kb pdf) was formed in 2001 under the auspices of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Membership includes fisheries scientists and managers dedicated to protecting and restoring wild salmon throughout their natural range. State of the Salmon staff are assisting the SSG in conducting the first IUCN assessments for these species.
Red List Assessment of Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Photo courtesy of WSC staff
The SSG and State of the Salmon have recently completed the first in a series of assessments of Pacific salmon. We are now in a position to describe the global status of Oncorhynchus nerka, known by a variety of common names, including sockeye salmon, red salmon, nerka and benizake.
More information:
- Press Release (25kb pdf)
- Executive Summary of Assessment (3.44mb pdf)
- Full Report (6.14mb pdf)
- IUCN Red List Summary Page for Sockeye Salmon
Key conclusions and recommendations from our work on this species:
- Since the last glacial period, natural processes of colonization and adaptation have resulted in at least 80 unique subpopulations of sockeye salmon across their range.
- Five subpopulations are now extinct.
- Approximately 1/3 of the subpopulations lack basic information to determine their status.
- Approximately 1/3 of the subpopulations we evaluated are threatened, and the ones at greatest risk are located in the southern range of their distribution in North America.
- Threats are many and diverse, including habit deterioration, overfishing, dams, artificial propagation, and disease. Climate change is likely to increase risk to salmon, particularly those in southern locations.
- We recommend implementing new wild salmon policies, restructuring coastal and river fisheries, adapting and reforming monitoring practices, and initiating new research efforts.
On October 6, 2008 State of the Salmon is hosting a unique workshop on Pacific salmon conservation as part of the IUCN Congress in Barcelona, Spain. See the workshop invite; more information on this event will be coming soon.
Red List Assessment of Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi)
Photo courtesy of WSC staff
In 2006, the SSG completed a red list assessment of Sakhalin taimen — one of the most ancient salmonid species. Found only in northern Japan and the southeastern corner of Russia, the species has been listed as "critically endangered" — representing the highest potential risk of extinction as designated by the IUCN. This effort has resulted in a number of international research efforts into the genetic and life history diversity of this enigmatic species.