environment
Young Atlantic salmon seen in three English rivers for first time in a decade
Species that is critically endangered in Britain is spotted in Mersey, Bollin and Goyt rivers in north-west
TL;DR
- Young Atlantic salmon have been seen in the Mersey, Bollin, and Goyt rivers, marking their return after 2015.
- Atlantic salmon were declared critically endangered in Britain in 2023.
- The presence of salmon indicates a significant environmental turnaround, with rivers recovering from past pollution.
- Factors threatening salmon include climate change, pollution, invasive species, and river blockages like dams, weirs, and locks.
- The Environment Agency plans a new salmon distribution study in early 2026 using eDNA sampling.