Saving the Salmon
A Race Against Time for Welsh Rivers
As a river restoration officer, Dr. Liam Whitmore has seen firsthand the challenges that Salmon face in the rivers of Wales. The latest report from Natural Resource Wales paints a bleak picture, predicting that a staggering 91 percent of Salmon and Sewin, another iconic fish species, will be completely extinct within a mere decade. With many migratory fish failing to return from the sea, the few brave ones that do make it back to our rivers desperately need healthy rivers to survive.
Dr. Whitmore is passionate about protecting these magnificent fish that are not only a symbol of Wales but also a vital part of its ecosystem. He explains that the issues facing Salmon in Welsh rivers are multifaceted and complex. Pollution from agriculture, industry, and urban runoff, habitat destruction due to development, and climate change impacts such as warming waters and changing river flows all contribute to the decline of Salmon populations.
One of the key tools in Dr. Whitmore's arsenal to combat this crisis is citizen science. He believes that engaging the local communities in monitoring and restoring river health is critical to saving the Salmon. Citizen science allows ordinary people to actively participate in collecting data on water quality, habitat conditions, and fish populations. This data provides crucial insights into the health of the rivers and helps identify potential issues before it's too late.
Community Engagement Officer Oisin, also highlights the importance of local knowledge and community engagement in river conservation efforts. ‘People living near rivers often have invaluable firsthand knowledge of the changes happening in their local environment. By involving local communities in citizen science initiatives, North Wales Rivers Trust aims to foster a sense of ownership and stewardship over their rivers, empowering the community to take action to protect these vital ecosystems’.
But time is running out. With the clock ticking towards the predicted extinction of Salmon and Sewin in Welsh rivers, the NWRT team are working tirelessly to restore and protect river health. Through citizen science, education, and advocacy, we are striving to raise awareness about the urgency of the situation and inspire action at all levels, from individuals to policymakers.
Dr. Liam Whitmore is on the front lines of the battle to save Salmon in Welsh rivers through restoration efforts. North Wales Rivers Trust combine this with citizen science as a powerful tool. Community engagement officer Oisin is determined to engage communities, gather critical data, and raise awareness about the urgent need to protect our rivers. We recently launched our partnership with the Angling Trust and we are nearing our summer launch for a wider citizen science campaign involving everyone in North Wales who is interested in protecting rivers.
As we continue our efforts to safeguard this iconic species, we hope that more people will join the cause and take action to ensure that future generations can still witness the magnificent sight of Salmon swimming in the rivers of Wales.
Sign up to our newsletter for further details on news and how you can join our next campaign.