Pink salmon in Sweden
KEY POINTS- Mapping the distribution and spawning success of pink salmon
- Monitoring using eDNA
- Citizen engagement
Project overview
Participants
Additional info
More related research
Short summary
During 2023-2025 SLU are investigating the distribution of pink salmon in Sweden. Pink salmon is an alien species in Sweden. Help us by reporting pink salmon sightings!
The project aims to
- Give an overall picture of the distribution of spawning pink salmon on the Swedish west coast using a relatively new method called environmental DNA (eDNA). With eDNA, you can use a water sample to see which fish are in a river and whether they are relatively few or many.
- Determine spawning success by examining whether there are any pink salmon fry in selected rivers.
- Increase public awareness and reporting of pink salmon.
The new knowledge generated in the project will help develop proposals for future monitoring programs for pink salmon.
The project is carried out in collaboration with The County Administrative Board in Halland, The County Administrative Board in Västra Götaland, The County Administrative Board in Skåne, Mix Research Sweden och NINA (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research).
What is a pink salmon?
The pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, in Swedish puckellax) is an alien species in Sweden and has probably migrated here from the Kola Peninsula via Norway. SLU is investigating the spread of spawning pink salmon in Sweden and we need the public's help by reporting their sightings/catches of pink salmon.
The pink salmon has been observed in increased numbers in several western Swedish rivers since 2017. How it affects our native fish species, such as Atlantic salmon and trout, if it spawns in Swedish rivers is currently unknown. Nor is it known how it affects the aquatic ecosystem in general.
Pink salmon have a 2-year life cycle and spawn every other year (mainly odd year in Europe) and the next spawning cycle expected in 2023. They often spawn in July-August and after spawning the pinks die in the river. The young emerge from the gravel during the late winter - early spring of the year after spawning and quickly leave the waterways.
During 2024, SLU investigated whether the spawning was successful in the rivers where the most pink salmon were detected.
How to recognise a pink salmon
- The male develops a characteristic hump on his back before spawning.
- Black dots on the tail.
- Black tongue.
- A mature adult pink salmon is about 40-55 cm long, but can grow up to 75 cm and weighing of up to 5 kilos.
- Download the information sheet with identifying features of pink salmon
