Evidence of successful recruitment of non-native pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha in Iceland

In mid-May 2022, pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha smolts were caught in the rivers Botnsa, Grimsa, and Langa in Iceland. This observation provides the first evidence of successful spawning and the completion of the freshwater phase of the life cycle in Icelandic rivers. It is the most western record of O. gorbuscha smolts in Europe, further west than Russia, Norway, and the UK. Smolts originating from Iceland potentially support the recruitment of this species in the North Atlantic and may lead to the establishment of a self-sustaining population in Iceland.

Automated summary

In mid-May 2022, pink salmon smolts were found in Icelandic rivers, providing the first evidence of successful spawning and freshwater phase completion in those rivers. This discovery is significant as it marks the westernmost record of O. gorbuscha smolts in Europe, surpassing Russia, Norway, and the UK. The presence of these smolts originating from Iceland may potentially contribute to the recruitment and establishment of a self-sustaining population of this species in the North Atlantic.