The International Atlantic Salmon Research Board

The International Atlantic Salmon Research Board (the Board) is a body, established by and reporting to the Council of NASCO, to promote collaboration and co-operation on research into the causes of marine mortality of Atlantic salmon and the opportunities to counteract this mortality.

The Board’s Vision is that:

‘Factors causing salmon mortality at sea are understood to the level that supports the development of management actions by Parties to reduce mortality to recover, protect and conserve salmon stocks’

Following a review of research priorities in 2024, the Board issued a Statement on its Future Research Priorities, ICR(24)01.

The Board comprises one representative from each Party to NASCO. Additionally, the Board invites one of the Co-Chairs of NASCO’s accredited NGOs and the point of contact for NASCO’s Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions to participate in Board meetings and provide relevant input on the issues under discussion. The NGO representative and IPRI point of contact are also included in all correspondence to the Board.

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) enables seven Governments and the European Union to co-operate to conserve wild Atlantic salmon.

NASCO is an international organization, established by the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean, in 1984. NASCO’s objective is to conserve, restore, enhance and rationally manage Atlantic salmon through international co-operation taking account of the best available scientific information.

The Scientific Advisory Group 

To assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities, a Scientific Advisory Group (the SAG) has been established to provide scientific and technical input and advice to the Board where needed. The SAG is composed of one representative from each Party.

Additionally, the Board invites one of the Co-Chairs of NASCO’s accredited NGOs and the point of contact for NASCO’s Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions to participate in SAG meetings and provide relevant input on the issues under discussion. The NGO representative and IPRI point of contact are also included in all correspondence to the SAG.

Governance

The Board and SAG follow Terms of Reference, which were most recently revised in 2025, ICR(25)12.

The Board follows the Financial Rules of the International Atlantic Salmon Research Fund, ICR(23)15. It has the following Guidelines on Acceptance of Voluntary Contributions, ICR(24)02.