Wildlife

Wild Migratory Fish UK River Restoration

Restoring UK rivers for salmon, sea trout, and eel passage through weir removal and habitat improvement.

Key Facts

River weirs and dams block migratory fish passage on most UK rivers
Fish passage facilities including ladders and bypass channels can restore some connectivity
Weir removal where feasible restores full habitat connectivity more effectively
Atlantic salmon runs have declined dramatically due to migration barriers and sea survival
Eel populations have collapsed to 10% of 1970s levels across Europe

Welfare Considerations

Migratory fish unable to reach spawning habitat fail reproductively and may die without spawning. Fish passing through inadequate fish passage facilities experience high mortality. Restoring river connectivity directly improves individual fish welfare and population viability.

What You Can Do

Support river trust organizations working on fish passage improvement
Advocate for weir removal where feasible to restore fish migration routes
Report eel sightings to support population monitoring efforts