The Environment Agency, as part of the Salmon for Tomorrow project, has opened up the last stretch of the River Severn for salmon by building a fish pass and removing weirs. The Environment Agency said that “creating an improved environment for migratory fish to spawn is essential on economic as well as environmental grounds” and given that angling is worth approximately £150m to Wales, this is a smart move by the agency for both the fish and the economy.
The River Severn is not the only stretch of water to benefit, a further eight rivers have been opened up in Wales to improve fish migration and spawning. Others, such as the River Taff, are recovering from their industrial pasts and the project along with improved water quality is greatly assisting the salmon’s sustainability.
Fish passes, rock ramps and the removal of man-made barriers are all methods employed. An often subtle difference to the look of rivers, these changes are of huge benefit to the future sustainability of salmon populations. Long may the Salmon for Tomorrow project continue!