The Environment Agency has urged anglers to report catches or sightings of invasive Pacific pink salmon, which are expected to appear in UK waters this year.

In 2019 and 2021, there were numerous sightings of invasive pink salmon in UK waters and – with the breed having a fixed, two-year life cycle and generally spawning in the summer – it is highly likely they will appear again in rivers this year.

The arrival of pink salmon raises potential concerns to other native species, including wild Atlantic salmon. Atlantic salmon are threatened, with numbers of the species falling dramatically due to various pressures. The invasive pink salmon is seen as an additional threat to their survival.

Pink salmon (Onchorhyncus gorbuscha) originate from the northern Pacific Ocean and can be identified by large black oval spots on their tail, a very dark mouth and tongue and they have much smaller scales than the Atlantic salmon.

The Environment Agency has a programme to deliver actions and outcomes identified within the Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain. The team works closely with the Non-Native Species Secretariat to monitor species, develop and promote biosecurity and deliver management programmes for aquatic invasives.

Fisheries managers, anglers, net fishers and members of the public are requested to report any sightings or catches to the EA’s national hotline – 0800 80 70 60 – or use the new reporting tool which has been developed in collaboration with Fisheries Management Scotland (FMS) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Read the Pink Salmon guidance factsheet, produced by the Environment Agency, providing all the advice needed for individuals who do come across this species.