The Magnificent Migration: A Wild Salmon’s Journey
We are delighted to report that the West Coast Tracking Project, a partnership between the Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland, and the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, has been shortlisted in the 2025 Nature of Scotland Awards‘ Coasts and Waters category as ‘The Magnificent Migration: A Wild Salmon’s Journey’. This award scheme is run by RSPB Scotland in partnership with NatureScot and this year’s shortlist was announced at an event on 10th September at the Scottish Parliament. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 20th November.
Why the West Coast Tracking Project Matters
The West Coast Tracking Project completed its fieldwork in 2023 after three years of study. Peer-reviewed scientific outputs are now being published. The aim of the project is to investigate the behaviour and dispersion of juvenile wild Atlantic salmon ‘smolts’ and ‘post-smolts’ as they migrate through sea lochs, nearshore coastal waters and into the open sea on the West Coast of Scotland. This work will help to inform regulation and management of the risks faced by wild salmon in these coastal waters, including contributing to the models used to assess the risk and impact of sea lice emanating from salmon farms.
Find out More
To find out more about the West Coast Tracking Project, view our project timeline here.
