Ross-on-Wye Angling Club highlight plunging salmon numbers in Wye

The catastrophic decline in numbers of Atlantic Salmon returning to the river Wye has been highlighted by a catch of just three salmon to members of Ross-on-Wye Angling Club throughout the 2022 season, which ended on 17th October.

Disappointing though this was, many formerly productive stretches of the river, including Hereford & District AA waters, Carrotts, Caradoc and Backney fisheries failed to produce a single fish between them.

“Tragically, Wye salmon are close to becoming a critically endangered species, which is unthinkable for such an iconic game fish synonymous with the town of Ross and the Wye in general,” said Trevor Hyde, a long-time Ross AC salmon angler. “There are many reasons for the collapse in numbers, but the decline in water quality, caused by sewage discharge and agricultural pollution, is high on the list of factors,” confirmed Mr Hyde.

In partial mitigation was the fact that due to low river levels and the extreme summer heat, Ross AC waters were closed for a total of six weeks; a preventative decision taken to protect fish welfare. But, with water temperatures at times exceeding 23 degrees Celsius, even this was not enough to prevent salmon fatalities.

The total 2022 salmon catch for the entire river was down by 78% when compared to 2016 figures. All salmon that were caught, were released back into the river.

The only positive note from another extremely disappointing season were signs of a revival in the presence of the vital river plant, Ranunculus, which was recorded at locations on the Weirend section of Ross waters, below the town. This was due in part to clear water, and with no significant rain, a reduction in phosphates washed into the Wye, which also resulted in a lower incidence of damaging algal blooms.

However, as the recent Autumn rains washed soil from surrounding fields into Ross waters, and sewage works discharged into the river, the phosphate levels recorded by the Club were measured at a staggering 13.8 times the acceptable legal limit! This followed repeated ‘zero’ phosphate readings during the periods of no, or little rain throughout the Summer.

Ross AC Chairman lobbies Labour MP on Wye water quality

As part of the Club’s ongoing campaign to highlight the problems of the river, Ross AC Chairman Rob Leather met with Alex Sobel, the Labour MP and Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on Friday, 28 October. This allowed Rob to explain and demonstrate the dramatic decline in the health of the Wye in person and follows recent meetings with senior figures from the Environment Agency.

For more news and information from Ross-on-Wye Angling Club visit http://www.rossanglingclub.co.uk

Picture L to R: Alex Sobel MP, Rob Leather, Chair, Ross Angling Club, Kris Kent, Campaigns Manager, Angling Trust, taking water quality samples from the river Wye in Ross.