Work to restore habitats sees rise in salmon on the River Teign
It follows a decade-long environmental project
Environmental teams are reporting seeing more Atlantic salmon on the River Teign, following more than a decade of work to restore spawning habitats.
Electric-fishing surveys show salmon are now consistently found further upstream in the South Teign where they hadn't been seen for years.
Salmon have been recorded for five consecutive years at a site close to the dam wall and Salmon fry have also been found in the area, providing evidence that the fish have successfully spawned close to Fernworthy reservoir.
Dr Georgina Samoluk, Fisheries and Biodiversity Advisor at South West Water, said the company’s mitigation work at Fernworthy and elsewhere was vital, adding: "None of the 16 Principal Salmon Rivers in Devon and Cornwall currently support sustainable salmon populations, meaning every step we take is important.
"Managing flows and protecting the fragile ecosystems that salmon rely on are at the heart of our work within the Environment Team.”
The South West’s comparatively mild winters also pose a challenge, she added, as salmon favour cooler water.
“Every salmon that makes the incredible journey upstream is a sign that our rivers can still support this species. However, now more than ever, we must work together - using engineering, science and partnership - to give these iconic fish a real fighting chance.”