Salmon 'at risk of extinction' as study launched

Atlantic salmon are facing a serious threat of extinction, according to environmental experts, due to difficulties young salmon encounter when trying to travel from the River Itchen in Hampshire to the sea. The Environment Agency has launched a new study to find solutions that will help these fish complete their journey. The main issue is that juvenile salmon, known as smolts, are struggling to get past man-made barriers in the river, which is causing their numbers to drop. Dr Dave Rumble, the CEO of Wessex Rivers Trust, has expressed deep concern about the future of Atlantic salmon. He warns that unless significant action is taken soon, extinction could become a reality within just a few years. Dr Rumble and his team are working closely with the Environment Agency to try to reverse the decline in salmon populations.

The study will focus on the lower section of the River Itchen, specifically between Woodmill and Mansbridge. By October, the Environment Agency hopes to identify effective options to help the salmon. These options may include improving the river habitat, making it easier for fish to pass through barriers, and increasing community involvement in conservation efforts. Jackie Mellan, the project manager for the study, explained that the River Itchen has changed a lot over the past decade. She said the first step is to figure out what can be done to improve the river system and make it more resilient for wildlife. For salmon, this means making it easier for them to migrate to the sea and increasing their chances of returning to the river to spawn as adults.

Each spring, groups of young salmon begin their journey from the Itchen to the sea, but experts say they are struggling to get past the first major obstacle near the estuary. In the past, the river was used for transport and trade, and structures were built to control water levels. Now, these same structures are the biggest barriers for smolts, especially when they travel in large groups. The fast-moving water near the barriers causes the smolts to bunch up, and although the current eventually pushes them over or under the obstacles, the delay makes it harder for them to survive and return as adults. The Environment Agency is now working with partners like the Wessex Rivers Trust to find ways to make the river more 'smolt friendly' and help save the Atlantic salmon from extinction. They hope that by improving the river and working together, they can give the salmon a better chance of survival and ensure they do not disappear forever.