Salmon levels rise in river Wye

Up to 50% of previously blocked feeder streams have been reopened

The number of salmon caught in the river Wye has exceeded 1,000 for the first time in 12 years after �5m worth of improvements to the river.

The Wye and Usk Foundation said the 2008 season was the best since 1996.

Figures showed a total of 1,066 salmon were caught by anglers, with up to 80% returned to the water.

Barriers which were preventing returning salmon from spawning have been removed and a water acidification has been tackled.

In its heyday, 3,500 salmon were regularly caught by anglers each season but the numbers started dropping in the 1970s.

Foundation chairman Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith said: "This is the first tangible sign of what is a huge achievement.

"Over the past 12 years we have devised an original method of correcting water acidification in the upper reaches of the river system.

"Together with our partners, we have removed barriers that previously prevented returning salmon from spawning.

"So far we have reinstated almost 50% of the entire Wye catchment area that was previously blocked to returning salmon.

Much of the work has been of great benefit to the wider biodiversity of our river Pete Gough, Environment Agency

"That is more than 450km of spawning streams. We have fenced off more than 125km of damaged tributary stream."

The Environment Agency Wales has pledged to invest more money in the river to build on the achievements to date.

Senior technical specialist Pete Gough said: "The partnership approach to addressing the problems on the Wye, prompted by the Wye and Usk Foundation, has been inspirational and together we have worked hard and spent a lot of money to improve habitats and ensure that fish can safely and successfully gain access to them.

"One result of this has been salmon spawning in remote places where they have not been seen for decades.

"In other locations we have higher numbers of fry. Importantly, much of the work has been of great benefit to the wider biodiversity of our river," he added.

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