Stock Rebuilding Programmes

A Stock Rebuilding Programme (SRP) is an array of management measures, e.g. habitat restoration, exploitation control and stocking, which is designed to restore a salmon stock above its conservation limit.

Many stocks are presently below their conservation limits. A major factor influencing salmon abundance is increased mortality at sea. While the short-term response to a stock failing to exceed its conservation limit may be to reduce or eliminate exploitation, there will generally be a need to develop a programme to evaluate and address the causes of the stock decline. In more serious situations, there may be a need for a comprehensive programme of research and management, involving a wide range of management actions undertaken by a number of user groups.

NASCO developed guidelines on the use of stock rebuilding programmes in 2004 and updated the guidelines in 2025. These guidelines provide guidance on the process of establishing a Stock Rebuilding Programme (SRP) and what such a plan might contain. They also provide a link between several other guidance documents developed by NASCO in relation to the application of the Precautionary Approach.

In 2024 NASCO agreed a Ten-Year Strategy and Action Plan which in turn is the basis for its fourth reporting cycle, starting in 2026, in which Performance Indicators and Conservation Commitment Reports will be used to measure progress towards the achievement of NASCO’s Resolutions, Agreements and Guidelines. Previously, progress in implementing these resolutions, agreements and guidelines has been assessed through the review of Implementation Plans and Annual Progress Reports.

Resolutions, Agreements and Guidelines

Guidelines on the Use of Stock Rebuilding Programmes in the Context of the Precautionary Management of Salmon Stocks (CNL(25)50);
Guidelines for Gene Banking for Wild Atlantic Salmon, (CNL(25)51);
Guidelines on the Use of Stock Rebuilding Programmes in the Context of the Precautionary Management of Salmon Stocks (CNL(04)55).

Publications

NASCO. 2017. Report of the 2017 Theme-based Special Session: Understanding the risks and benefits of hatchery and stocking activities to wild Atlantic salmon populations (CNL(17)61)