SALAR – A new international arena for connected waters

SALAR originated at Visitor Centre Wild Salmon – Laudal, along the Mandal River in southern Norway. What began as an initiative focused on wild Atlantic salmon developed into a broader ambition.

Wild Atlantic salmon is both a signal and a symbol. A signal of the health of the waters connecting rivers, fjords, coasts and oceans. And a symbol of how nature connects people, communities, industries and nations across borders.

Yet the decisions affecting these waters are often made separately, by different sectors and institutions, with competing interests and responsibilities.

SALAR was established to bring these perspectives together.

As an independent, non-profit initiative, SALAR creates time and space for open dialogue, challenging questions and new relationships across sectors and borders.

The first gathering, SALAR 2027, will take place in Mandal, Norway, on 28–29 May 2027, bringing international voices together through SALAR Conversations and SALAR Open Houses.

The ambition extends beyond a single gathering: to connect people, knowledge and resources around a shared responsibility for our waters.

The water connects us. Our conversations should too.