Top Atlantic Salmon Fishing Countries

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a prized anadromous fish species native to the North Atlantic Ocean and rivers that flow into it, renowned for its remarkable migrations and valued both for sport and commercial purposes. The leading countries in Atlantic salmon fishing and aquaculture are Norway, Scotland (United Kingdom), Canada, and Chile. Norway dominates global production, primarily through aquaculture, and supplies a significant portion of the world's farmed salmon. Scotland is also a major producer, with its salmon industry being a crucial export sector. Canada, especially the provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland, contributes both wild and farmed salmon, though wild stocks have declined due to overfishing and habitat loss. While Chile is not native to Atlantic salmon, it has become a global powerhouse in farming this species. Wild Atlantic salmon fisheries, once abundant in countries like the United States, Canada, and several European nations, have diminished dramatically due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and other environmental pressures, leading to a shift towards sustainable aquaculture as the primary source of Atlantic salmon worldwide.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.