The long-distance traveler is on its way back

A fish with cult status. WWF Switzerland has been passionately committed for years to the return of the Atlantic salmon to Swiss waters. Its vision: this impressive migratory fish should once again fin a home in the Rhine, the Aare, and other rivers. By 2027 at the latest, the time will come – the Atlantic salmon will return to Switzerland. Cornèrcard is part of the WWF project «Lachs Comeback».

More than a hundred years ago, the Rhine was the largest salmon river in Europe – around one million salmon swam its waters. Then came the damming and pollution of the rivers. Wild rivers were forced into narrow channels, and the natural connectivity of waterways was disrupted. The consequences for nature were severe: many habitats were destroyed, leading to the loss of numerous animal and plant species. The salmon – a symbol of vibrant, living rivers – was no exception. Its population collapsed within just a few decades, and by the mid-1950s, it was considered extinct in the region.

From the Alps to the coast of Greenland and back

The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is classified as an anadromous fish species. When it reaches the age of one to two years and its scales turn silvery, it begins its journey from its birthplace – usually a small river – to the open oceans. This migration can span several thousand kilometers. The salmon lives in the sea until it reaches sexual maturity and then, at around five or six years old, returns to its birthplace to spawn. Free migration both upstream and downstream is therefore essential to maintaining healthy salmon populations.

For a long time, the path back to their native spawning grounds was blocked for salmon – obstructed by hydropower plants and other barriers that made free migration impossible. But the dream of their return lives on. For over a decade, WWF Switzerland has been working tirelessly to make the salmon’s comeback a reality. Together with various partners – and for several years now also with Cornèrcard – the «Lachs Comeback» project has been driven forward with compelling ideas and a clear vision: by 2027, salmon should return to Switzerland via freely accessible rivers such as the Thur, Töss, Aare, and Reuss. By 2035, the goal is to establish stable, self-sustaining populations in Swiss waters once again.

Successful Results

Over the past three years, significant progress has been made to pave the way for the salmon’s return. Key spawning grounds have been specifically protected, and hydropower plants have been advised on the construction of essential fish passages. Important stretches of former salmon rivers in Switzerland have now been revitalized, while in the mid-Rhine catchment area in Germany, salmon

reintroduction has already been successfully achieved. This positive development also benefits other fish species that rely on dynamic, healthy waterways. In autumn 2022, construction began on fish migration facilities at the Rhinau and Marckolsheim – marking the start of restoring the final connections between Strasbourg and Basel. The construction is progressing on schedule, and both fish passes are expected to be operational by 2026. One last major hurdle remains: the Vogelgrün. Together with its partners, WWF Switzerland is doing everything it can to find a swift and sustainable solution. Meanwhile, the ten-year flagship project by VAR (Verband Aare-Rhein-Kraftwerke) on downstream fish migration at large-scale hydropower plants has been successfully completed. The national restocking program, coordinated by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and implemented by the cantons, is also progressing successfully.

Salmon as an Indicator of River Health

If salmon are able to reproduce in our rivers, it’s a clear sign that other fish and plant species in Swiss rivers are also thriving. This means that not only salmon benefit from the various measures taken along the main course of the Rhine, but all native animals and plants living in and around these waterways.

Public Engagement

The salmon is more than just a fish – it represents fascination, resilience, and the value of intact ecosystems. Thanks to a wide range of activities in salmon regions (BS/BL, AG, ZH, TG, SO, BE, and LU) and numerous awareness campaigns, this passion has spread to the public. The growing interest and positive feedback clearly demonstrate how important it is to give nature back the space it has lost – and to promote biodiversity in a sustainable way.

Information: WWF Switzerland or Lachscomeback

Source: WWF Switzerland

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