The Environment Agency is intensifying its efforts to protect and restore salmon stocks in the North East of England, a region where salmon populations are facing significant threats.
Despite some local successes, such as in the Tyne river, overall salmon stocks across England and Wales have hit new lows. Here’s a look at the agency’s strategies and the challenges they are addressing.
Current State of Salmon Stocks
Salmon stocks in England and Wales are in a precarious state. According to the latest report, there has been a marked decline in the numbers of salmon returning to most rivers over the last decade, particularly in the South West, Wales, and the North West.
The Environment Agency has implemented several measures to protect salmon stocks. Authorities have closed commercial salmon net fisheries in England until at least 2029 and implemented mandatory catch-and-release (C&R) policies for anglers before 16 June.
As a result, anglers have achieved high C&R rates, releasing 95% of caught salmon alive.
Improving River Habitats
To enhance spawning environments, the Environment Agency has been working to remove migratory barriers and improve water quality. During 2022, teams completed 137 schemes to address water quality, flow, and physical modification pressures on Principal Salmon Rivers and recovering salmon rivers.
Experts are currently building a new 200m fish pass at Colwick on the River Trent, which will become the country’s largest fish pass when completed later this year, restoring miles of river and aiding salmon migration.
Addressing Fundamental Challenges
Climate change, marine exploitation, and barriers to fish passage are significant challenges impacting salmon numbers. The Environment Agency is collaborating with NGOs, angling organisations, and other stakeholders to develop a new salmon action implementation plan.
This plan aims to address both existing and emerging threats to salmon populations, including ensuring good water quality and ecological standards for juvenile salmon and controlling avian predation.
Snapshot
- Closure of Commercial Net Fisheries: All commercial salmon net fisheries in England have been closed until at least 2029.
- Mandatory Catch-and-Release: Anglers must release all salmon caught before 16 June.
- River Habitat Improvements: Removal of migratory barriers and improvement of water quality through various schemes.
- Collaborative Action: Working with NGOs, angling organisations, and other stakeholders to develop a new implementation plan.
- Addressing Climate Change: Efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on salmon populations.
- Reducing Exploitation: Controls on both net and rod fisheries to minimize exploitation of salmon.
- Improving Fish Passes: Construction of new fish passes to aid salmon migration.
- Water Quality Initiatives: Schemes to improve water quality and river flow.
- Regulatory Measures: Implementation of byelaws to ensure the protection of salmon stocks.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with various stakeholders to develop and implement the new action plan.
Success Stories and Future Outlook
While the overall situation remains critical, there have been some successes. For example, the river Tyne has seen buoyant salmon stocks, and improvements in rivers like the Ouse, Don, and Tyne have been noted.
However, the Environment Agency emphasizes that collaborative action is essential to prevent the extinction of Wild Atlantic Salmon in English rivers. The agency will continue collaborating with partners to tackle the combined impacts of climate change, marine exploitation, and other pressures.
In Conclusion
The Environment Agency’s efforts to preserve North East salmon stocks are multifaceted and critical given the declining numbers across England and Wales.
Through closures of commercial net fisheries, mandatory catch-and-release policies, and improvements in river habitats, the agency aims to protect these iconic species.
However, the success of these efforts depends on coordinated action from governments, partners, and industry to address the significant threats facing salmon populations.
Sources: THX News & Environment Agency.
