Decisions made by them at these meetings will have tremendous impact on the future of the Atlantic salmon. That impact will be very positive if highseas fisheries are eliminated. Even the smallest harvest will be devastating. To prevent the loss of wild salmon populations, concerted action must begin immediately and must engage all countries where Atlantic salmon live or are harvested. The International Atlantic Salmon Accord was conceived at a conference last September in Galway, Ireland, when it became apparent that the dramatic decline in salmon populations in 1997 was a phenomenon experienced throughout the North Atlantic rim.
Scientists believe that the cause of the sharp declines lie in the ocean.
However, it is obvious that if we are to save the salmon, we must improve our treatment of the species and its ecosystem and maximize its numbers in both freshwater and the sea. Atlantic salmon, like the canary in the coal mine, reflect the ecological well-being of the North Atlantic. The decline in Atlantic salmon populations parallels a general decline in sea birds, fish and other species. This dilemma reflects the destruction of the web of life, an imbalance between predator and prey, and less hospitable habitat. The salmon's threatened demise both follows and foreshadows the demise of other creatures.