Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish

Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Objectives

To reintroduce a self-sustainable population of salmon appropriate to the catchment.
To ensure continued monitoring of the species.
To safeguard the quality and quantity of water sufficient for the fish.
To maintain and enhance quality fish habitat, to improve damaged fish habitats and remove barriers which prevent the free passage of fish.

Targets

Total achievements to date (November 1998 - March 2001)

The Environment Agency has been releasing salmon fry into the River Dove since 1999.
A Trent Salmon Trust has been established to seek funds to implement the actions.

Current Action

Protection and Policy

Atlantic Salmon are protected under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, supplemented by the Salmon Act 1986.
The species is listed under the EC Habitats Directive Annex IIa.
The Environment Agency is the lead organisation for Salmon in Staffordshire.

Management, Research and Survey

The EA continues to safeguard migration routes between the river and the sea. EA maintain a monitoring programme of fish stocks and has developed fisheries strategies for river reaches in Staffordshire and across the country.

Action Plan

UK Lead Organisation:

N/A

County Lead Organisation:

Environment Agency

Policy

To raise initial stocking costs of 30k. (EA)
To stock fry and parr into the River Dove below Rocester weir annually for five years, until a significant number of adult salmon return to spawn. (EA)
To provide advice and publicise the conservation of the species and the correct management. (EA)
To ensure that appropriate Staffordshire LEAPs (i.e. the Dove at this stage) include specific measures for the reintroduction of salmon. (EA)

Management

To continue to consider the requirements of the salmon when developing Capital Flood Defence Schemes. (EA)

Monitoring and Research

To research the effects of weirs on the passage of migrating fish. (EA)
To establish where fish passes should be provided to enable the free passage of fish. (EA)
To further research the possibility of fitting a fish pass to Tutbury Weir on the River Dove, to open up a twenty-seven mile stretch for spawning, up to the next weir at Rocester. (EA)
To continue research into maintaining a genetic diversity in stocked fish similar to that found in the wild. (EA)

Advisory

To raise awareness amongst fishermen, farmers and flood defence engineers on the conservation needs of the salmon. (EA)
Increase species awareness for the public and landowners through education, promotion and events. (SBAP Partnership)

Complementary Plans