Atlantic salmon stocks in England have reached new lows according to a new report out this week.
According to the Atlantic Salmon Stock Assessment for 2024 from the Environment Agency (EA) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), 90 per cent of principal salmon rivers in England are classified as either ‘at risk’ or ‘probably at risk,’ meaning salmon numbers are below minimum levels to support sustainable populations.
Atlantic salmon is an indicator species, reflecting the health and cleanliness of marine and freshwater ecosystems. A shrinking salmon population is a warning sign that much more work is needed to improve our natural environment.
The dramatic decline of salmon stocks is an international trend, with similar findings reported in Ireland, Iceland, Sweden and Canada, however the UK shows the most significant decline.
Agricultural pollution, sedimentation, and chemical runoff from industries, wastewater, and roads are degrading their habitats. As well as barriers to migration, water scarcity from abstraction and the persistent challenge from climate change and warming seas.
Action is needed across all pressures impacting salmon, and the EA and Natural England (NE) is calling on everyone from landowners and farmers, to the sectors of energy, waste and water to do more to protect this iconic and pivotal species.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said, “As a critical indicator species, England’s dwindling salmon population is a warning of the deteriorating health and connectivity of our waterways, and signals a threat to other wildlife species and local economies.
“Working in partnership to restore rivers and seas will bring widespread environmental and ecological benefits, driving broader nature recovery, which is at the heart of Natural England’s mission.
“The EA is taking action to improve our regulation of water quality and the government’s new Water (Special Measures) Bill will introduce the greatest increase in enforcement powers in a decade, giving the EA more powers to hold polluters to account.”
Despite the overall picture, improvement on individual rivers have been recorded. Last year, the EA completed the largest fish pass in the UK, at Colwick near Nottingham, establishing a new route for migrating wild fish to reach the River Trent catchment. The Trent has observed an increasing number of salmon as overall water quality has improved following decades of decline following industrialisation.
Similarly, fish passage improvement on the River Severn, facilitated by the ‘Unlocking the Severn’ project, a collaboration between EA, NE and others. This has significantly improved a number of weirs known to block salmon migration routes. These improvements have helped to ensure that salmon and other migratory fish can now ascend the river more easily to reach their spawning grounds.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust, said, “These results demonstrate the urgency with which we need to address the many pressures on freshwater ecosystems at a strategic scale. Salmon populations are unusual in that they are a factor of the health of both rivers and the oceans, but many of the marine issues are outside our control. What we know is that salmon need access to cold, clean water and a suitable habitat to complete their lifecycle. There is a pressing need to increase dramatically the scale of work going on to remove barriers to fish migration, reduce pollution from agriculture, sewage, roads and mines, and to restore natural features and flows. These magnificent fish are in danger of becoming extinct on many of our rivers where they were once abundant, which would be a disastrous legacy to leave the next generation.”