Yes, while native Atlantic salmon populations have disappeared from Poland's rivers, salmon are still found in Polish waters, particularly the Southern Baltic Sea, and certain rivers are identified as sampling sites for these fish.
Historical Disappearance of Native River Salmon
Historically, Poland's rivers were home to native Atlantic salmon. However, these populations have unfortunately vanished over several decades:
- Upper Vistula River: Native salmon disappeared from this area in the 1950s.
- Pomeranian Rivers: By the 1960s, salmon populations were no longer present in rivers within the Pomeranian region.
- Drava River (Odra Basin): The last of the native Atlantic salmon populations in Polish rivers, specifically in the Drava River within the Odra basin, disappeared by the end of the 1980s.
This decline was largely due to factors such as habitat degradation, pollution, and barriers to migration.
Current Presence of Salmon in Polish Waters
Despite the loss of native river populations, salmon are still encountered in areas connected to Poland:
- Southern Baltic Sea: The Baltic Sea, which borders Poland, is a known habitat for Atlantic salmon. Research and monitoring efforts in this region include "salmon sample sites" that encompass areas near Poland.
- Slupia River: This river, located in Poland and flowing into the Baltic Sea, is explicitly mentioned as a salmon sample site. This indicates that salmon are present in this river, likely as part of migratory patterns from the Baltic Sea or potential reintroduction/stocking programs for research and conservation purposes.
This continued presence, even if not through self-sustaining native river populations, signifies that salmon are still a part of the aquatic ecosystem in Poland and its surrounding waters. Conservation efforts and research continue to monitor and understand salmon populations in the Baltic region.
