Salmo salar is one of the world’s most recognized and commercially valued fish species. Its native range spans the North Atlantic Ocean and the rivers that flow into it, from the Arctic Circle down to parts of Spain and the northeastern United States. The fish’s life cycle is anadromous, meaning it hatches in freshwater, migrates to the ocean to mature, and then returns to its natal river to reproduce. Its rich flavor and texture have made it a popular staple for centuries. Understanding where Atlantic Salmon comes from requires a close look at the two fundamentally different methods of sourcing: wild catch and farming.
The Critical Distinction: Wild Versus Farmed Sourcing
The vast majority of Atlantic Salmon available to consumers is not harvested from the wild. Over 99% of the Atlantic Salmon sold commercially is produced through aquaculture, or farming. This production method began commercially in Norway in the 1960s and rapidly expanded to meet global demand. The small fraction of wild Atlantic Salmon remaining is highly regulated and protected, having been severely depleted over the last century due to habitat loss, pollution, and historic overfishing. For instance, in the United States, commercial and recreational fishing for wild Atlantic Salmon is now entirely prohibited to protect native populations, such as those in the Gulf of Maine.
Primary Regions for Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture
The global supply of farmed Atlantic Salmon is concentrated in specific coastal regions that offer ideal conditions for large-scale marine aquaculture. Norway is the undisputed leader, consistently producing over half of the world’s farmed Atlantic Salmon. The Norwegian coast offers deep, sheltered fjords and cold, stable hydrographic conditions. These conditions are perfectly suited for the large net-pen systems used in salmon farming, facilitating fish growth and supporting the required infrastructure.
Chile is the second-largest global producer, having rapidly developed its industry since the introduction of Atlantic Salmon eggs in the early 1980s. Farming operations are primarily situated in the country’s southern regions, particularly in the cold, protected waters of the Patagonian fjords and channels. Chile benefits from lower production costs and geographic advantages, allowing it to compete effectively in the global market. Together, Norway and Chile account for approximately 80% of the world’s farmed salmon production.
Other significant aquaculture centers contribute to the remaining global supply, operating in environments that mimic the cold-water requirements of the species. In all these regions, the production is highly industrialized, relying on a controlled, year-round harvest cycle to ensure a steady supply of fresh and frozen product for export. Major global contributors include:
- Scotland, particularly the coastlines and islands of the Highlands, which is a major European producer often marketing its product as “Scottish Salmon.”
- Canada, with operations concentrated in the Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) and on the Pacific coast in British Columbia.
- The Faroe Islands, an archipelago between Norway and Iceland, are an important contributor to the global farmed salmon market.
- Tasmania, Australia, which leverages favorable sea temperatures and relative geographic isolation to mitigate certain disease risks common in other production areas.
The Limited Geography of Wild Atlantic Salmon Catch
The small amount of commercially harvested wild Atlantic Salmon comes from a severely restricted and heavily managed geography. The scarcity is a direct result of decades of declining populations, which have led to conservation measures closing most historic commercial fisheries. Wild catch is almost entirely limited to specific river systems and coastal zones. These areas must have populations considered stable enough for a small, sustainable harvest, or be maintained for subsistence and Indigenous fishing rights.
In Europe, some limited, legal wild catches still occur in certain rivers in Norway and Ireland, but these fisheries are highly regulated with short seasons and strict quotas. Iceland maintains some of the healthiest wild populations and allows for a limited recreational catch, though the fish are often pursued under strict catch-and-release policies. The commercial catch that once occurred in the North Atlantic around Greenland and the Faroe Islands has been significantly curtailed due to international conservation agreements.
In North America, the primary source of commercial wild catch is the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador. Commercial fishing has been subject to moratoriums and quotas since the 1990s, shifting the focus toward conservation and managing recreational fisheries. These recreational fisheries often involve mandatory catch-and-release practices to maximize the number of returning fish that can spawn.