Wye salmon faces extinction in 6 years - campaigners
Campaigners say pollution is causing the drop in fish numbers
At a glance
Pollution is threatening Atlantic salmon in the River Wye, campaigners say
The Wye Salmon Association believes they could disappear within six years
It has recorded its lowest ever catch numbers
It wants gene banking, captive breeding and cryogenic preservation
- Published
The protected Atlantic salmon could be extinct within six years due to pollution levels in the River Wye, campaigners say.
The Wye Salmon Association say they have recorded their lowest catch numbers since their records began in 1956.
The angling group is calling for radical scientific action to save the species.
They want gene banking, captive breeding and cryogenic preservation science to be used to ensure the fish does not become extinct.
The river at Ross on Wye regularly turns green due to high levels of algae
In May, the river's status was downgraded to "unfavourable declining" by Natural England.
The river was reclassified due to a fall in the numbers of species such as salmon and native crayfish.
Both the Wye, and the River Lugg which runs into it, are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) which should afford them the highest environmental protections.
Campaigners believe that intensive farming and sewage pollution have caused algal blooms which deprive wildlife of oxygen.
Stuart Smith of the Wye Salmon Association says time is running out
“Based on current numbers we are a mere five or six years away from total extinction of salmon," said Stuart Smith, chair of the Wye Salmon Association.
Their records show that 225 salmon were caught and released back to the River Wye in 2023.
“Forget more research, what we need are urgent solutions and we need them now. A six-month delay could be too late," said Mr Smith.
Campaigners have taken to the streets to call for action
Campaign groups, including Save The Wye, have held street and river protests calling for more action.
In May, the former Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey, met farmers and councillors in Hereford to discuss the declining state of the River Wye.
Soil from fields runs into the River Wye after rainfall
Jesse Norman, the conservative MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, resigned as a transport minister on 12 November saying he wanted to concentrate on the plight of the river.
I have felt quite constrained by the rules of office in what I can say publicly, notably in relation to the urgent need to clean up the River Wye,” he said.
On Sunday, Herefordshire Council is holding a Rivers Conference to bring together farmers and campaigners.