The Tyne has been singled out as the only river in England where wild salmon are not at risk.
A report from the Environment Agency and other environmental organisations has warned that wild salmon stocks are reaching crisis point and could be lost from English rivers without urgent action to save them . Stocks of wild Atlantic salmon, which traditionally breed in UK rivers, have fallen to their lowest level on record.
Some 37 of England's 42 salmon rivers in England are now categorised as "at risk", which means stocks have fallen below sustainable levels, or "probably at risk." Atlantic salmon travel between the sea and rivers to breed and are a classic part of the UK's river life.
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But the situation for salmon in the Tyne has actually improved due to better water quality in the estuary and action against barriers to salmon migration.
Nationally, climate change is leading to rising sea and river temperatures, as well as overfishing, is hitting stocks globally. Poor water quality in rivers and estuaries can affect the salmon lifecycle, and experts have warned that barriers such as dams and weirs prohibit their ability to travel upstream to suitable river breeding grounds.
Kevin Austin, deputy director for agriculture, fisheries and the natural environment for the Environment Agency, said: "Today’s assessment for England is of great concern, and without urgent action wild Atlantic salmon could be lost from our rivers in our lifetimes. We have seen some real successes through our work with partners, particularly on the River Don and Tyne, but more much progress is needed.
"As the climate emergency becomes more acute, we need co-ordinated action between governments, partners and industry to enable stocks to stabilise and recover to sustainable levels."
The Environment Agency and its partners have a "salmon five-point plan" with the aim of improving marine survival, further reducing catches by nets and rods, removing barriers to migration and enhance natural habitat, safeguarding sufficient flows and maximising spawning success by improving water quality. In 2019 the agency closed all of England's salmon net fisheries until at least 2029, with a catch and release rate of 95% being delivered in rod fisheries and further options being considered to implement a 100% release rate in all remaining rivers categorised as being "at risk."
The Environment Agency has also improved 19 fish passes in the last year, including one in the Tyne, which gives the fish better access to breeding grounds. They have also been improved in the Severn, Ribble, Camel and Test rivers.
In 2021 some 53 schemes aimed to improve water quality and river flows which will benefit salmon, while 50 new agricultural officers have been employed to work with farmers to tackle pollution in water courses, according to the agency. It is also calling for tougher fines and prison sentences for those responsible for serious and deliberate pollution which damages water quality and river life.
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