Salmon facing extinction in our rivers

STOCKS of wild Atlantic salmon have fallen to their lowest level on record and could be lost for ever from rivers, the Environment Agency warned yesterday.

Some 37 of the 42 salmon rivers in England and all 22 in Wales are now categorised as ‘at risk’ – meaning stocks have fallen below sustainable levels – or ‘probably at risk’.

Salmon travel between the sea and rivers to breed, but climate change and overfishing is hitting stocks globally.

Only one river in England, the Tyne in the North East, is classified as not at risk, due to better water quality in the estuary and action against barriers to migration.

Kevin Austin, from the Environment Agency, said: ‘Without urgent action wild Atlantic salmon could be lost from our rivers in our lifetimes. We need co-ordinated action between governments, partners and industry to enable stocks to recover.’

The agency has a ‘five-point plan’ to improve marine survival, and is also calling for tougher fines and prison sentences for those responsible for serious and deliberate pollution that damages water quality and river life.