ALL salmon caught on the River Severn and its estuary must be returned to the water alive, following the introduction of new byelaws by the Environment Agency (EA).
Set to impact commercial net fisheries as well as rod-and-line anglers, the restrictions are a response to a sharp decline in migratory salmon stocks, with numbers currently thought to be among the lowest on record.
Bait fishing for salmon is also banned under the ruling, with only artificial lures featuring a single barbless hook permitted.
While the EA hopes the restrictions will enable the next generation of anglers to enjoy the benefits of sustainable salmon fishing, Glyn Marshall, coordinator of the Severn Fisheries Group, believes they’re misplaced and are failing to tackle the real issues.
“Fishing for migratory species is now one of the most highly regulated pastimes in the UK,” he told Angling Times.
“The regulations will do nothing to improve stocks compared to substantive action on pollution.
“They’re a sad indictment of the Government’s attitude to the health and wellbeing of the older angler, who fishes for salmon with bait.”