World Fish Migration Day 2026: join us at events across Wales
This World Fish Migration Day, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is inviting people to a range of events where they can explore the lives of migratory fish, uncover their remarkable journeys and find out how we’re working to safeguard these species in Welsh rivers.
World Fish Migration Day(Saturday 23 May), is a global awareness campaign celebrating migratory fish. It highlights their ecological importance and calls for stronger protection of the rivers, streams and habitats they depend on to complete their life cycles.
The Atlantic salmon is one of nature’s most remarkable travellers. Over its lifetime, it can journey nearly 4,000 miles, navigating both freshwater and saltwater and relying on healthy, connected rivers.
Across Wales, numbers of Atlantic salmon caught by anglers have fallen to an all-time low and the population is now struggling and at risk of disappearing entirely from some Welsh rivers.
Fish are fundamental for ecosystem health and human livelihoods. However, their populations are declining rapidly due to major pressures such as habitat loss, barriers, pollution and climate change.
Free-flowing rivers are vital for biodiversity, climate resilience and human well-being. By removing barriers like weirs and culverts, we can reopen migration routes and give fish and river ecosystems a chance to recover.
From guided walks to pond dipping and kick sampling, we’re encouraging people to come along to events held along the Rivers Dee, Wye and Usk to find out more about the special wildlife that call these rivers home.
Events will be held in the following locations:
· River Dee (organised by NRW Fisheries and LIFE Dee River) – Chester fish trap on Saturday 23 May from 11am – 2pm. Chester Fish Monitoring Trap Open Day – World Fish Migration Day
· River Usk (organised by Four Rivers for LIFE) – Brecon weir Promenade on Saturday 23 May from 11am-3pm.
· River Wye (organised by Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project in partnership with Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and Wye and Usk Foundation) – Gilfach Nature Reserve on Thursday 28 May from 10am - 2pm. Find out more via this link.
Nick Thomas Natural Resources Wales Strategic Projects Manager, said: “We hope these events will raise awareness of the epic migration journeys that are made every year by the fish in our rivers, and show that we need to work together to restore river connectivity and protect these species before it’s too late.”
The Rivers Dee, Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, Usk and Wye are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), meaning they are of significant international importance for the wildlife and plants that call them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot.
The LIFE Dee River and Four Rivers for LIFE Projects are funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government, whilst the Upper Wye Catchment Restoration Project is funded by Welsh Government’s Nature and Climate Emergency Fund, part of the Water Capital Programme.
Find out more World Fish Migration Day – Connecting fish, rivers and people