The International Sampling Program : Continent of origin and biological characteristics of Atlantic salmon collected at West Greenland in 2024

An Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) mixed-stock fishery operating from August through October exists off the coast of Greenland and primarily harvests 1 sea-winter (1SW) North American and European origin salmon destined to return to natal waters as 2 sea-winter (2SW) spawning adults. To collect data on the biological characteristics and origin of the harvest necessary for international stock assessment efforts, Members of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization’s West Greenland Commission agreed to participate in an international sampling program for the 2024 fishery. The U.S. (NOAA Fisheries Service) coordinated the sampling program, which involved 5 samplers from 5 countries deployed among 3 communities (Sisimiut, Maniitsoq and Qaqortoq) located on the west coast of Greenland.