Salmon are some of the most popular fish in the world prized for their rich flavor and health benefits. However they are more associated with northern regions like Alaska and Norway rather than the sunny Mediterranean. So an interesting question arises – are there actually salmon in the Mediterranean Sea?
The short answer is yes, there are some salmon species that reside in the Mediterranean, but their numbers are relatively low compared to more prolific fish like sea bass, tuna, and anchovies Let’s take a deeper dive into the salmon species found in the Med and why they aren’t as abundant as in other waters
Atlantic Salmon
The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is the most common salmon species found in the Mediterranean. They are native to the northern Atlantic Ocean but have been introduced in some rivers that feed into the Mediterranean such as the Rhone in France and the Ebro in Spain.
Atlantic salmon travel from the ocean into freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Some Mediterranean rivers provide the right habitat for spawning and juvenile development. However, the overall population of Atlantic salmon in the Mediterranean is quite small, numbering perhaps a few hundred thousand fish.
The Mediterranean is warmer and more saline than the north Atlantic waters where Atlantic salmon thrive. As an anadromous species that migrates between salt and fresh water, Atlantic salmon aren’t as well adapted to the conditions in the Med. This limits their numbers and distribution.
Brown Trout
The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is another salmonid species found in the Mediterranean, primarily in rivers and streams flowing into the sea. The brown trout is not a migratory fish, completing its entire lifecycle in freshwater. This makes it better suited to Mediterranean rivers than the Atlantic salmon.
Several Mediterranean countries have healthy populations of brown trout in rivers and lakes, including France, Italy, Slovenia, and Albania. Brown trout have been introduced widely outside their native range for recreational fishing. But within the Mediterranean itself, populations face threats from habitat loss, pollution, overfishing and competition from invasive species.
Overall, brown trout make up only a tiny fraction of the total fish biomass in the Mediterranean Sea itself. Their status is better in freshwater ecosystems of the region.
Landlocked Salmon
A few landlocked populations of Atlantic salmon are found in deep lakes in Greece and North Macedonia. Since they cannot migrate to the ocean, these unique salmon complete their lifecycle entirely in freshwater habitats. Being trapped in lakes has led to distinct genetic differences between landlocked salmon and their migratory counterparts.
Landlocked salmon in the Mediterranean are very limited in number and distribution. For example, Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia is thought to contain no more than a few thousand individuals. But these interesting populations continue to persist in deep, cold lakes at high altitudes.
So Why Aren’t Salmon More Abundant?
The rarity of salmon in the Mediterranean compared to other marine fish comes down to a few key reasons:
-
Salinity: The Mediterranean has higher salt content than the north Atlantic. This creates an environment less suitable for salmonids which need periods in freshwater.
-
Temperature: Salmon thrive in cooler waters. The warmer average temperatures of the Mediterranean limit the abundance of salmon.
-
Migration access: Dams and other barriers on rivers feeding into the Med restrict access and fragment spawning grounds for migratory salmon species.
-
Predators: Salmon face higher predation in the Mediterranean from fish like bluefin tuna and sharks.
-
Competition: Other fish like anchovies and sardines compete with salmon for prey resources in the Med.
-
Habitat loss: Dwindling cold, clean rivers and streams reduce available spawning habitat for Mediterranean salmon populations.
So while the Mediterranean does host some salmon species, the conditions there mean the fish are unlikely to ever match the sheer biomass found in the north Atlantic or North Pacific. Salmon occupy a relatively minor niche in the Mediterranean compared to small schooling fish and predatory species like tuna. But their presence adds one more dimension to the diversity of life found in this unique sea.
Farmed Salmon in the Mediterranean
An interesting development in recent decades is the rise of farmed salmon production in the Mediterranean region. Norway pioneered the practice of salmon aquaculture starting in the 1960s. But today countries like Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey also operate sizeable Atlantic salmon farming industries.
Floating net pens allow farmers to raise fast-growing Atlantic salmon in offshore locations. The fish thrive on pellet feeds without having to migrate to spawn. In fact, farmed salmon now make up over 70% of global salmon supply. This includes salmon labeled as “Mediterranean” in stores and restaurants.
However, salmon farming in the region remains controversial. Critics argue that:
-
Farmed salmon escape and compete with wild fish.
-
Parasites and diseases spread from farms to natural habitats.
-
Waste and chemical runoff damage marine ecosystems.
-
Non-native salmon harm native biodiversity.
-
Feed sourcing and ingredient sustainability are issues.
So while salmon aquaculture provides economic opportunities for Mediterranean countries, its environmental impacts need careful management. Farming also can’t replace natural wild salmon populations which have unique genetic value.
Other “Salmon” Species
There are a few other types of fish called “salmon” that reside in the Mediterranean but are not true salmonids:
-
Shrimp scad: Also called “salmon Garfish”, it resembles salmon in color but is actually a small schooling fish.
-
Umber salmon: A relative of the yellowtail amberjack with silver coloration.
-
Lizardfish salmon: A lizardfish species with a salmon-like pink hue.
So don’t be confused if you come across fish with salmon in their names but aren’t true Atlantic, brown or landlocked salmon. Several Mediterranean species share a passing similarity to the popular salmonids.
To summarize, while salmon do inhabit the Mediterranean Sea, their populations there are dwarfed by more prevalent forage fish, migratory tuna, sharks, and other species. Constraints like high temperatures, predators, and lack of migration access limit wild salmon abundance in the Med. But some interesting varieties like landlocked salmon persist in unique freshwater habitats.
Farmed salmon production contributes to seafood economies around the Med. But it also raises sustainability concerns that require ongoing research and regulation. The rarity of wild salmon adds to their intrigue for Mediterranean anglers and naturalists lucky enough to encounter them. But for the vast majority of people, salmon in the Mediterranean will continue to mean the farmed fish on their dinner plates, rather than the wild visitors making occasional appearances in this picturesque sea.
Similar content being viewed by others
- Anon. (1984a) Atlantic salmon scale reading. Report of the Atlantic Salmon Scale Reading Workshop. ICES, Aberdeen, 23–28 April, 17 pp.
- Anon. (1984b) Analisis de calidad de aguas 1982–1983. Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Urbanismo. Direccion General de Obras Hidräulicas. Madrid, pp. 1–52.
- Camino, E.G. (1940) El Salmon, Fuente de Riqueza. Publicaciones de la Direccion General de Turismo, Madrid, 74 pp.
- Dunfield, R.W. (1985) The Atlantic salmon in the history of North America. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 80, 181 pp.
- Escagedo Salmon, M. (1927) Privilegios, escrituras y bulas en el pergamino de la insignie y real Iglesia colegial de Santillana. Tomo II, p. 435. cited in Camino (1940), pp. 37–8.
- Gallichan, W.M. (1904) Fishing and travel in Spain. F.E. Robinson, London, 227 pp.
- Garcia de Leániz, C, Hawkins, A.D., Hay, D. and Martinez, J.J. (1987) The Atlantic salmon in Spain. The Atlantic Salmon Trust.
- Gibson, R.J. (1973) Interactions of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and brook trout (Salvenillus fontinalis (Mitchell)). The International Atlantic Salmon Foundation . Special Publication Series,4 (1), 181–202.
- Hawkins, A.D. and Smith, G.W. (1986) Radio tracking observations on Atlantic salmon ascending the Aberdeenshire Dee. DAFS, Scottish Fisheries Research Report, no. 36, 24 pp.
- Jensen, A.J. and Johnsen, B.O. (1986) Different adaptation strate¬gies of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations to extreme climates with special reference to some cold Norwegian rivers. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43, 980–4.
- Jones, J.W. (1959) The Atlantic salmon. Collins, London, 192 pp.
- Jusué Mendicouague, (1953) Las Regalfas Salmoneras. Centro de Estudios Montaneses, Santander, 606 pp.
- MacCrimmon, H.R. and Gots, B.L. (1979) World distribution of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 36, 422–57.
- Martín Ventura, J.A. (1985) (personal communication) Consejerfa de Agricultura y Pesca. Secciön de Conservacion de la Naturaleza, Calle Uría 10–1, Oviedo 33071, Spain
- Martinez Conde, E. (1984) El embalse del Pas, un crimen ecológico. El País, 12 July, p. 24.
- Mills, D.H. (1971) Salmon and trout: A resource, its ecology, conservation and management. Oliver and Boyd. Edinburgh, 351 pp.
- Miranda, J.L. (1986) (personal communication) Instituto para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (Icona). Subdirección General de Recursos Renovables. Sección de Pesca Continental. Gran Vía de San Francisco No. 35. Madrid 28005, Spain.
- Netboy, A. (1968) The Atlantic salmon. A vanishing species? Faber and Faber. London, 475 pp.
- Netboy, A. (1974) The Salmon, their fight for survival. Andre Deutsch, London. 304 pp.
- Netboy, A. (1980) Salmon, the world’s most harrassed fish. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 613 pp.
- Notario, R. (1971) Entrada del salmón en los rios y comportamiento de esta especie piscíscola en el agua dulce. Montes. Enero–Febrero, pp. 39–40.
- Prouzet, P. (1981) Observation d’une femelle de tacon de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.) parvenue a maturite sexuelle en riviere. Bulletin Français de Pisciculture, 282, 16–19
- Prouzet, P. (1984) Caractéristiques du stock de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar L.) capturé à la ligne sur l’Aulne (riviere de Bretagne-Nord) durant la periodé 1973–1981. Revue des Travaux de l’Institut de Pêcheries maritime, 46, 285–98
- Prouzet, P. and Gaignon, J.L. (1982) Fécondité des saumons atlantiques adultes captures sur le bassin versant de l’Elorn (rivière de Bretagne Nord) et caractéristiques de leurs pontes. Bulletin Français de Pisciculture, 285, 233–43.
- Prouzet, P. and Gaignon, J.L. (1985) Caractéristiques du stock de saumon atlantique d’un hiver de mer (Salmo salar L.) capture sur l’Elorn de 1974 a 1984. Revue des Travaux de l’Institut de Peches maritime, 47, 167–78.
- Roberts, R.J. and Shepherd, C.J. (1986) Handbook of trout and salmon diseases,2nd edn, Fishing News Books Ltd, Surrey,222 pp.
- Shearer, W.M. (1972) A study of the Atlantic salmon population in the North Esk, 1961–1970. MSc. thesis, University of Edinburgh.
- Swain, A. (1980) Tagging of salmon smolts in European rivers with special reference to recaptures off West Greenland in 1972 and earlier years. Rapport et Procès Verbaux de la Réunion. Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer, 176, 93–113.
- Symons, P.E.K. (1979) Estimated escapements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) for maximum smolt production in rivers of different productivity. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 36, 132–40.
- Zar, J.H. (1984) Biostatistical Analysis. 2nd edn, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 718 pp.
- Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB9 8DB, ScotlandCarlos Garcia de Leániz
- Servicio de Montes, Casa y Conservación de la Naturaleza, Calle Rodriguez 5,1, Santander, 39071, SpainJuan José Martinez
Greek Salmon Recipe | How to Cook Salmon (Mediterranean Diet Recipe)
FAQ
Do they eat salmon in the Mediterranean?
With the rise of popularity of the Mediterranean diet in the 1990s, so began the connection of salmon with the Mediterranean food principles. Today, recipes for farmed salmon are promoted for every type of international cuisine.
Is salmon caught in the Mediterranean sea?
In the Iberian peninsula, comprising Spain and Portugal, salmon are only found in rivers of the north and northwest provinces entering the Cantabrian Sea and the North Atlantic. They are absent from rivers flowing into the Mediterranean sea (Figure 10.1).
What kind of fish are in the Mediterranean?
Rainbow wrasse, sea bass, Atlantic bonito, flying fish, Mediterranean swordfish, European anchovy, red mullet, parrotfish and Atlantic Bluefin tuna are some of the more common species the body of water, but now are being overfished.
Is salmon eaten in Greece?
Among the many seafood options, salmon has made its way into modern Greek cooking, although its roots in Greece are relatively new compared to more traditional fish varieties like anchovies, sardines, and octopus.