Wild Atlantic salmon stocks are reaching crisis point the Environment Agency (EA) has said) as the latest stock assessment report estimates they are at their lowest levels on record.

UK rivers are traditional breeding grounds for Atlantic salmon and are classed as an iconic species in our rivers, however, many factors are impacting on their numbers at freshwater and marine sites. In particular, climate change is leading to rising sea and river temperatures and overfishing are impacting on salmon stocks globally. Water quality in rivers and estuaries can also affect the fish lifecycle as well as barriers stopping salmon travelling upstream.

Through the Salmon Five Point Approach action is being taken by the EA and its partners to remove barriers to migration with 19 fish passes improved in the last year. Work is also taking place to improve water quality and reduce the exploitation of salmon by both net and rod fisheries.

Kevin Austin, Deputy Director for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment for the Environment Agency said: Today’s assessment for England is of great concern and without urgent action Wild Atlantic Salmon could be lost from our rivers in our lifetimes. We have seen some real successes through our work with partners, particularly on the river Don and Tyne, but more much progress is needed.

The latest stock assessment report, from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales, is of significant concern. In 2020, 20 salmon rivers (48%) were thought to be ‘at risk’ – meaning salmon stock are no longer at sustainable levels – but in the latest report this has now risen to 31 (74%) with rivers in the South West, North West and Wales considered to be the most affected.

Only one river in England, the River Tyne, remains within the ‘not at risk” category and has improved due to better water quality in the estuary and action against barriers to migration. On the River Don, fish pass improvements and habitat restoration initiatives have enabled salmon to return.

In parallel, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has published the 2021 salmon stock assessments for 23 principal salmon rivers in Wales (including 3 cross-border rivers) based upon the latest available data. Salmon and sea trout (sewin) require high quality freshwater habitats to thrive and are a key indicator of the environmental quality of river catchments. In 2021 Wales recorded the lowest catches of both salmon and sea trout since consistent records began in 1970s.

The full news story from the Environment Agency can be read here and also from the Guardian and BBC here and here. The press release from NRW can be found here. The latest stock assessment report from Cefas can be found here with a background report here.