28-Jul-2006
- Only 2% of salmon rivers in England and Wales
definitely had sustainable fish stocks when the
Environment Agency launched its National Salmon
Strategy ten years ago.
Today, the figure stands at
16%, and estimates suggest that it could be as
high as 35%.
"A decade on from the launch
of the National Salmon Strategy, we’re seeing
sustainable salmon stocks in many rivers as a
result of environmental improvements and a tightening
of game fishing controls," Environment Agency
Fisheries Manager Godfrey Williams said.
"New regulations we’ve
introduced such as the spring salmon measures
- that prohibit the killing of salmon before June
- encouraging greater use of catch and release
and limiting net fisheries, have made a positive
impact.
"Fisheries associations
and clubs have also introduced voluntary controls,
with the percentage of catch-and release angling
rising from 24% in 1996 to 55% ten years later."
The following changes are evident
in England and Wales game fishing:
In 1996 anglers bought 22,773
annual salmon licences and after several years
of decline, this rose to 23,123 licences in 2005.
Over the same period, the number of short-term
licences fell from 12,508 to 9,949.
The number of salmon net licences issued also
decreased, from 557 to 345 - this was mainly due
to increased regulation and the phasing out of
net fisheries.
The declared salmon net catch fell from 32,680
fish in 1996 to 16,811 in 2005.
The comparable rod catch figures are 17,444 and
19,457, so anglers now catch more salmon than
netsmen.
"The Tyne and Wear are examples of rivers
where pollution has been cleaned up and good stocks
of salmon support increased fishing. Salmon stocks
in other big river systems are also showing clear
signs of recovery - the Mersey, the Yorkshire
Ouse, the Trent, and the Tees," Mr Williams
said.
"Since 2003 the Environment
Agency has spent more than £1.5 million
on projects to directly improve salmon river habitat
and to address obstacles to migration. Most of
these initiatives are with other partners, so
that the total investment has been at least three
times this amount. Communities in several river
catchments are also taking their own positive
steps to support their river environment and fisheries,
establishing rivers trusts and projects, using
grants and working on improvement programmes.
"However most salmon fisheries
across England and Wales remain degraded. Our
aim is to have the majority of salmon rivers supporting
sustainable stocks within five years, so there
is still much work to be done."
With anglers spending an estimated
£500 million annually on salmon and trout
fishing in England and Wales, and the fishing
rights for these species having a capital value
of about £1000 million, it's vital that
anglers and fishery owners have a say on the future
of fisheries management.
As a result, the Environment
Agency is holding a consultation with those who
have an interest in "the king of fish"
regarding the National Salmon Strategy for the
next ten years.
The Environment Agency's 2004
Salmon Stock Conservation Review confirmed that
exploitation is not the only reason that salmon
stocks remain low. The Review identified other
factors including land use associated with agriculture
and diffuse pollution, together with siltation,
damaged river habitat, low flows and barriers
to migration. Climate change also affects salmon,
with reduced survival at sea a possible example
of this.
New regulations have included:
The spring salmon measures in
1999 that prohibited the killing of salmon before
June.
Encouraging greater use of catch and release in
the remaining season.
Phasing out net fisheries, such as the north east
coast drift-net fishery.
Many other Net Limitation Orders and rod and net
byelaws.
In the future, salmon management in Europe will
be closely linked with the Water Framework Directive
and its six-year planning cycle. Seventeen of
the 63 principal salmon rivers/estuary in England
and Wales have special protection under the Habitats
Directive. The Severn estuary may also be designated
under the Directive.
For details on how to contribute
to the National Salmon Strategy consultation,
visit: the Environment Agency's website, and go
to the Fisheries Management Homepage.
Head Office Press Office
