Welsh salmon remain in crisis as new assessment shows all monitored rivers at risk
Atlantic salmon populations in Wales remain at levels of serious concern, with every principal salmon river assessed in Wales classified as "at risk" in the latest annual stock assessment.
The 2025 assessment shows salmon continue to face significant challenges across England and Wales. Of the 64 principal salmon rivers assessed, only two were estimated to be above their Conservation Limit, while the vast majority were classified as being at risk.
In Wales, all principal salmon rivers assessed were classified as "at risk", meaning salmon populations remain below levels needed to give confidence in their long-term sustainability without continued intervention and recovery measures.
The assessment also records the lowest rod catches since records began in 1956, highlighting the continued decline of one of Wales' most iconic species and the scale of the challenge facing efforts to restore populations.
Salmon are under pressure from a combination of factors, including climate change, habitat degradation, barriers to migration and water quality issues. These pressures affect populations throughout their lifecycle and are recognised as some of the most significant threats to salmon recovery both nationally and internationally.
Work to tackle these challenges is continuing across Wales through a range of restoration and fisheries programmes. Through the Salmon 4 Tomorrow programme, three major fish passage schemes have improved access to more than 50km of river habitat for migratory fish. Other habitat restoration projects have delivered more than 33km of fish access improvements and enhanced over 42km of riverside habitat.
Further recovery work is being delivered through projects including LIFE Dee River and Four Rivers for LIFE. Together, these initiatives have improved river habitats, removed barriers to migration, planted thousands of trees to help improve river resilience and opened up valuable habitat for fish across some of Wales' most important river catchments.
The findings come shortly after the publication of the Climate Resilient Fisheries Strategy 2026-2031, which sets out a long-term vision for healthy, climate-resilient freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems that support thriving fish populations and sustainably managed fisheries in Wales.
Dr Ben Wilson, Principal Fisheries Advisor, said:
"The picture for salmon in Wales remains deeply concerning. All of our assessed salmon rivers are now classified as 'at risk', and too few salmon are returning from the sea to sustain healthy populations into the future."
"We understand the seriousness of that situation, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves. While there is no quick fix for a species facing pressures at sea and in our rivers, we are working with partners across Wales to restore habitats, improve fish passage, strengthen river resilience and give salmon the best possible chance of recovery."
"Our new Climate Resilient Fisheries Strategy provides a clear framework for this work. It will help us focus our efforts where they can make the greatest difference for fish populations, river ecosystems and the communities that care about them."
The annual salmon stock assessment is produced jointly by Cefas, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales and is available on GOV.UK. The report provides important evidence to inform fisheries management and conservation decisions across England and Wales.