Salmon at risk in Wales’ rivers

MAJOR concerns have been expressed about Wales’ wild salmon and sea trout stocks, after new figures showed the lowest catches of both species last year since consistent records began in the 1970s.

All 23 principal salmon rivers in Wales are “at risk” – which means stocks have fallen below sustainable levels – or “probably at risk”.

Welsh Government sponsored environmental body Natural Resources Wales (NRW) yesterday described its concern at the figures.

Salmon and sea trout require high quality freshwater habitats to thrive and are a key indicator of the environmental quality of river catchments.

Climate change, which is leading to rising sea and river temperatures, as well as overfishing, is hitting stocks globally. Poor water quality in rivers and estuaries can hit their lifecycle, and barriers such as dams and weirs stop them travelling upstream to breeding grounds, experts warn.

Ben Wilson, principal fisheries officer for NRW, said: “This represents the worst level of salmon and sea trout stock performance ever recorded in Wales and is of major concern indicating that many stocks are now in serious trouble and at risk of failing to maintain sustainable populations in the future.

“This is a clear indication that we must redouble our efforts to tackle the decline in fish numbers.

“These declines are replicated in most other countries across the North Atlantic distribution of salmon. A sharp decline in Welsh sea trout stocks has also occurred particularly in south and south west Wales.”