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Written question asked by Lord Carlile of Berriew (Crossbench) on Monday, 7 October 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 October 2024. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Fish: Conservation

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to sustain and increase the stocks of trout and salmon in rivers and lakes in England and Wales in the face of predation by cormorants and other native and non-native birds.

Answer

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The answer to Question HL1183 sets out the Government’s approach to managing bird predation on wild Atlantic salmon.

The Environment Agency (EA) manages salmon and sea trout fisheries in England. In 2018 national byelaws effectively closed the remaining salmon net fisheries and adjusted the seasons for the remaining sea trout net fisheries. In 2023, 95% and 89% of recreational salmon and sea trout catches respectively were released, alive. This has been achieved through a combination of voluntary or mandatory measures. Where necessary, the EA has introduced river specific regulatory measures to better protect sea trout, including size restrictions and bag limits.

The EA also works with partner organisations to address other pressures facing salmon and sea trout, such as barriers to fish passage. A full list of actions related to salmon can be found in the England and Wales “Implementation Plan” (copy attached) to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO), along with annual progress updates available on NASCO’s website. The EA is currently re-assessing the key pressures on salmon, in England, ahead of producing a new implementation plan in 2025/26.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1182
Session
2024-26
Attachment
NASCO Implementation Plan
Related items
Birds: Pest Control
Friday, 18 October 2024
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Birds Conservation Salmon Trout
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk