Salmon numbers in England and Wales last year were lowest on record

This year’s data shows a stark decline. The total declared salmon catch for 2023 was provisionally estimated at 5,399 fish, down from 6,952 in 2022. Until 2017 at least 20,000 fish were recorded every year.

The fish is considered an indicator species as it is sensitive to pollution; its decline indicates that the waters in which it swims are not healthy.

Only one of 64 principal salmon rivers is classified as not at risk, meaning the rest do not have sustainable populations of salmon.

Anglers are leading the fight to protect wild Atlantic salmon. For decades they have been highlighting the alarming decline in the numbers of fish returning to our rivers.

Read at www.theguardian.com