Wildlife Welfare

Wild River Lamprey Conservation and Welfare

River lampreys are ancient parasitic fish facing population pressures from barriers to migration and declining host fish populations.

Key Facts

River lampreys are jawless parasitic fish that spend years as larvae buried in river sediments
Adult lampreys migrate upstream to spawn and die in spring
Weirs and other barriers prevent migration causing population decline
European lampreys are priority species for river restoration in the UK
Lamprey passes installed on weirs allow upstream migration and population recovery

Welfare Considerations

Lamprey welfare at the population level depends on migration connectivity. Barriers to spawning migration cause reproductive failure and population decline. Lamprey passes and weir removal restore migratory connectivity that allows populations to recover.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects including lamprey pass installation on migration routes
Report lamprey spawning activity to local wildlife recording schemes
Advocate for weir removal and lamprey pass installation in river management plans