WELCOME TO THE ATLANTIC SALMON MANAGEMENT
DECISION SUPPORT TOOL
The Atlantic Salmon Management Decision Support Tool provides an interface for users to quantitatively explore how variations in life-stage mortality may influence future population status.
It is underpinned by a stage-state mortality and growth modelling framework, scenario testing features and a range of outputs designed to support decision-making to accelerate wild salmon conservation efforts.
Click the button below to start using the tool.
1
Build reference cases
2
Test possible scenarios
3
Visualise your results
4
Support wild salmon recovery
Delivered by the Atlantic Salmon Trust
on behalf of the Missing Salmon Alliance
Define a Catchment
Using the input fields below set the high level configuration of the catchment.
- Catchment Name is the unique label for this reference case.
- Tuned Model Version sets the base parameters to those defined in the chosen model. As more river types are tuned they will appear here.
- Accessible Wetted area is the total area accessible to the fish.
- Representative Marine Areas are a set of predefined values for the combined marine survival for the reference case. These values are derived using historical data from the ICES WGNAS report combined with a weighted similarity of postsmolt migration pathways.
- Input Marine Survival is linked to the above, choose Custom Marine Survival to enable the numeric input to set a combined marine return rate for the catchment. This value is the initial starting point in the model calculations and the Reference Case Marine Survival will vary a small amount from this figure due to the model finding a population equilibrium.
Define a Catchment
Using the input fields below set the high level configuration of the catchment.
- Catchment Name is the unique label for this reference case.
- Tuned Model Version sets the base parameters to those defined in the chosen model. As more river types are tuned they will appear here.
- Accessible Wetted area is the total area accessible to the fish.
- Representative Marine Areas are a set of predefined values for the combined marine survival for the reference case. These values are derived using historical data from the ICES WGNAS report combined with a weighted similarity of postsmolt migration pathways.
- Input Marine Survival is linked to the above, choose Custom Marine Survival to enable the numeric input to set a combined marine return rate for the catchment. This value is the initial starting point in the model calculations and the Reference Case Marine Survival will vary a small amount from this figure due to the model finding a population equilibrium.
Define a Catchment
Configure Reference Model Parameters
Use the inputs below to control the Model Response, highlighted in the value boxes at the top, and create a baseline which is a reflection of your 'current' system.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Reference Case from which you will Test Scenarios against at the next step.
- The Life History area contains parameter controls which adjust age proportions and sex ratios of the modelled population.
- The Stage Based Mortalities area contains parameter controls which effect population loss at stages throughout the lifecycle.
- The Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects area has controls which combine the effects of stage conditions on loss across multiple stages.
Configure Reference Model Parameters
Use the inputs below to control the Model Response, highlighted in the value boxes at the top, and create a baseline which is a reflection of your 'current' system.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Reference Case from which you will Test Scenarios against at the next step.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Reference Case from which you will Test Scenarios against at the next step.
- The Life History area contains parameter controls which adjust age proportions and sex ratios of the modelled population.
- The Stage Based Mortalities area contains parameter controls which effect population loss at stages throughout the lifecycle.
- The Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects area has controls which combine the effects of stage conditions on loss across multiple stages.
Configure Reference Model Parameters
Freshwater Survival:
Outgoing Smolts:
Marine Survival:
Returning Adults:
Life History
Population age and sex ratios can be modified here
Life History
Population age and sex ratios can be modified here
Life History
Stage Based Mortalities
Directly effect high impact stage mortality parameters within the model
Stage Based Mortalities
Directly effect high impact stage mortality parameters within the model
Stage Based Mortalities
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Effect parameters based on understanding of environmental conditions in the salmons life stage habitat
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Effect parameters based on understanding of environmental conditions in the salmons life stage habitat
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Configure Scenario Model Parameters
Use the inputs below to configure the Model Response for comparison against your baseline Reference Case.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Test Scenario, you can create multiple scenarios and save them against a Reference Case.
- The Life History area contains parameter controls which adjust age proportions and sex ratios of the modelled population.
- The Stage Based Mortalities area contains parameter controls which effect population loss at stages throughout the lifecycle.
- The Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects area has controls which combine the effects of stage conditions on loss across multiple stages.
Configure Scenario Model Parameters
Use the inputs below to configure the Model Response for comparison against your baseline Reference Case.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Test Scenario, you can create multiple scenarios and save them against a Reference Case.
The configured parameters can be saved as a Test Scenario, you can create multiple scenarios and save them against a Reference Case.
- The Life History area contains parameter controls which adjust age proportions and sex ratios of the modelled population.
- The Stage Based Mortalities area contains parameter controls which effect population loss at stages throughout the lifecycle.
- The Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects area has controls which combine the effects of stage conditions on loss across multiple stages.
Configure Scenario Model Parameters
Life History
Population age and sex ratios can be modified here
Life History
Population age and sex ratios can be modified here
Life History
Stage Based Mortalities
Directly effect high impact stage mortality parameters within the model
Stage Based Mortalities
Directly effect high impact stage mortality parameters within the model
Stage Based Mortalities
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Effect parameters based on understanding of environmental conditions in the salmons life stage habitat
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Effect parameters based on understanding of environmental conditions in the salmons life stage habitat
Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects
Model Response
This output area shows some key differences between the Reference Case model and the Test Scenario model, allowing you to see directly the impact of parameter changes in terms of standard management metrics.
- Freshwater Survival shows the population survival from egg through to the end of the smolt stage, just prior to marine entry.
- Outgoing Smolts shows the modelled number of smolts successfully exiting the river.
- Marine Survival
- Returning Adults shows the modelled number of adults successfully entering the river.
- Adult River Entry shows the population survival from post-smolt through to river entry.
Model Response
This output area shows some key differences between the Reference Case model and the Test Scenario model, allowing you to see directly the impact of parameter changes in terms of standard management metrics.
- Freshwater Survival shows the population survival from egg through to the end of the smolt stage, just prior to marine entry.
- Outgoing Smolts shows the modelled number of smolts successfully exiting the river.
- Marine Survival
- Returning Adults shows the modelled number of adults successfully entering the river.
- Adult River Entry shows the population survival from post-smolt through to river entry.
Model Response
Freshwater Survival:
Outgoing Smolts:
Marine Survival:
Returning Adults:
Adult River Entry:
~~~~~~~~~DEBUGGING - Model Output - DEBUGGING~~~~~~~~~
Activate a Reference Case to Continue
To continue to this step please select a Reference Case in the right hand sidebar.
- Reference Cases are created in the Build Reference Cases tab
Activate a Reference Case to Continue
To continue to this step please select a Reference Case in the right hand sidebar.
- Reference Cases are created in the Build Reference Cases tab
Select a Catchment
Use this area to explore the assessed conditions within existing catchments. These assessments are sourced from relevant national agencies or research institutions to provide a central view of this information. Select a Stock Unit, Region, and Catchment to populate the information points available for that area.
Stock Units are aligned to the NASCO definition, Region and Catchment names are aligned to national definitions.
Select a Catchment
Use this area to explore the assessed conditions within existing catchments. These assessments are sourced from relevant national agencies or research institutions to provide a central view of this information. Select a Stock Unit, Region, and Catchment to populate the information points available for that area.
Stock Units are aligned to the NASCO definition, Region and Catchment names are aligned to national definitions.
Stock Units are aligned to the NASCO definition, Region and Catchment names are aligned to national definitions.
Select a Catchment
Salmon Conservation Regulation Assessment
Salmon Conservation Regulations in the UK are in place to manage Atlantic salmon fisheries exploitation. Annual assessments take place that construct conservation limits and categorise the status of the
resource. Category labels vary between UK authorities, but equate to the proposed health of the system and in turn contribute to the allowable exploitation level in force that year. The figures here represent those taken from the
regulations published annually by the governing bodies. See Data Sources area for more details.
- Year and Status: The year and status of the latest assessment
- Wetted Area: The wetted area that is accessible to the salmon across the whole catchment
- Conservation Limit: The amount of eggs required to maintain the population at a point where it is considered to be able to sustain a Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for a fishery. This is the lower-most limit for salmon conservation.
Salmon Conservation Regulations
Salmon Conservation Regulations in the UK are in place to manage Atlantic salmon fisheries exploitation. Annual assessments take place that construct conservation limits and categorise the status of the resource. Category labels vary between UK authorities, but equate to the proposed health of the system and in turn contribute to the allowable exploitation level in force that year. The figures here represent those taken from the regulations published annually by the governing bodies. See Data Sources area for more details.
- Year and Status: The year and status of the latest assessment
- Wetted Area: The wetted area that is accessible to the salmon across the whole catchment
- Conservation Limit: The amount of eggs required to maintain the population at a point where it is considered to be able to sustain a Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for a fishery. This is the lower-most limit for salmon conservation.
Salmon Conservation Regulations
Environmental Information
Details on the environmental features of the catchment
Environment Information
Details on the environmental features of the catchment
Environment Information
Catchment Water Temperature
This area can contain GIS and Environmental information from various sources. At the moment it displays Water Temperature data which is sourced from
the Scottish River Temperature Monitoring Network. Additional layers can be added as and when resources are discovered.
Plot
Data Sources
Links to the data sources used in this area of the Decision Support Tool. Data have been sourced in different ways, from those served openly via web map services, to manual extraction from PDF based reports,
and many methods in between.
Data Sources
Links to the data sources used in this area of the Decision Support Tool. Data have been sourced in different ways, from those served openly via web map services, to manual extraction from PDF based reports,
and many methods in between.
Data Sources
Salmon Conservation Regulations
Marine Scotland (Scottish systems CL)
CEFAS, EA, NRW (English and Welsh systems CL)
DAERA-NI Salmon Conservation Regulation
Fisheries Ireland Salmon Conservation Regulation
National Assessment Information
FMS Pressures Tool
National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland
Water Framework Directive
SEPA Water Classification Hub
EA Water Classification
NRW Water Classification
DAERA-NI Water Framework Directive Classification
EPA Ireland Water Framework Directive Classification
Other Resources
Scottish River Temperature Monitoring Network
National Assessment Information
Water Framework Directive
Other Resources
Help, Information, and User Guidance
User Journey Overview
The DST allows you to interact with the Likely Suspects Framework model to explore fish population response to varying conditions across their lifecycle.
Reference Case Workflow:- Step 1. Define Catchment: Establish your baseline by naming your river, selecting a pre-tuned model, and assigning the wetted area and marine drainage region
- Step 2. Set Parameters: Adjust the baseline model parameters to reflect the existing conditions of your specific river
- Step 3. Save Reference Case: Save your configured model as a benchmark 'Reference Case'
- Next Steps: You can now create additional Reference Cases for differing initial conditions, or move to the next tab to start creating 'Test Scenarios'
- Step 1. Select Reference Case: From the dropdown menu in the sidebar, activate the 'Reference Case' you'd like to run scenarios against
- Step 2. Set Parameters: Adjust the model parameters to reflect changing conditions experienced by the population
- Step 3. Save Test Scenario: Save your configured parameters as a 'Test Scenario'
- Next Steps: You can now create multiple 'Test Scenarios' against each 'Reference Case', and then move on to the next tab to begin 'Visualise and Reporting'
- Step 1. Select Reference Case: From the dropdown menu in the sidebar, activate the 'Reference Case' you'd like to report against
- Step 2. Review Scenarios: Using the various visualisation panels, explore the effects of scenarios on the baseline case
- Step 3. Select a subset: In Table 1, select a subset of the existing scenarios to report directly on (max. 5 scenarios)
- Next Steps: In the sidebar, describe the selected reference case and scenarios in the text field and generate a PDF report
Controlling the Model
The DST brings to the surface a subset of the full model parameter space for developing case studies comprising of Reference Cases and associated Test Scenarios. The controls are grouped based on how they effect the modelled population.
The Life History area contains parameter controls which adjust age proportions and sex ratios of the modelled population:
- Smolt Age Proportions: Age distribution of migrating smolts, across Smolt Ages (SA) 1, 2 and 3
- Sea Age Proportions: Age distribution of returning adults, across Sea Winters (SW) 1 and Multi
- 1SW Female: Percent of 1 sea winter returning adults that are female
- MSW Female: Percent of multi-sea winter returning adults that are female
The Stage Based Mortalities area contains parameter controls which effect population loss at stages throughout the lifecycle:
- Potential Egg Loss Percent of egg loss prior to fry stage
- Potential Fry Loss Percent of fry loss prior to parr stage
- Smolt Carrying Capacity The Smolt Carrying Capacity directly reflects Parr loss prior to smolt stage. This slider relates to the ricker curve Alpha parameter in the model
- Potential In River Smolt Loss Percent of emigrating smolts lost as they travel down river and into the marine environment
- Potential Adult Coastal Loss Percent adult salmon lost during the coastal leg of their homeward migration
- Potential Adult River Loss Percent adult salmon lost during their migration to spawning grounds
The Multi-Stage Conditions and Carry Over Effects area has controls which combine the effects of stage conditions on loss across multiple stages:
- Potential Juvenile FW Growth Impact of freshwater conditions on the growth rate of juvenile salmon as a multiplier of growth factors during the fry and parr stages
- Potential Adult Marine Success Population-level response to changing marine conditions - successful return as a percent of migrating smolts (Marine Return Rate)
Developing A Management Ready Report
The final step in the DST workflow is translating your modelled scenarios into a decision support document for stakeholders and policy planners. The reporting suite automatically compiles your selected Reference Case and Test Scenarios into a clean, standardized PDF.
Reporting Steps:
- 1. Select Your Core Data: Ensure your Visualise table is filtered to highlight the most relevant Reference Case and your chosen Test Scenarios. Restricting the report to a maximum of 5 scenarios ensures the output remains focused and digestible.
- 2. Add Context and Narrative: Data is most powerful when paired with context. Use the provided text fields in the sidebar to document the rationale behind your chosen scenarios. Explain the specific management interventions these scenarios represent (e.g., 'Habitat restoration leading to 10% improved Parr survival').
- 3. Generate and Export: Click the 'Generate PDF Report' button. The tool will package your visualizations and custom narrative into a comprehensive summary, ready for distribution.