Are There Salmon in the Mediterranean Sea?

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.