Natural Resources Wales commissioned Afonydd Cymru prepare fisheries habitat plans on the 23 principal salmon rivers of Wales. All regional Rivers Trusts have surveyed elements of their respective catchments. Walkover surveys were carried out within the Winter seasons of 2017 to 2021.
Rivers Surveyed to date:
Teifi (2017 and upper tribs 2020). Tywi, Mawddach, Clwyd and Eastern Cleddau (2018). Western Cleddau, Thaw, Usk, Ogmore, Arth, Aeron, Ystwyth, Rehidol, Leri, Wyre, Llyfni, Gwyfrai, Seiont and Ogwen (in 2019). Wye, Usk (Phase 2), Dyfi, Glaslyn, Taf, Nevern, Loughor, Neath, Tawe, Upper Teifi, Cadoxton, Rhymney, Taff / Ely, Severn (Phase 1), Dee, Conwy, Rivers of Anglesey (in 2020).
Through the Winter period of 2021 we will be surveying Severn (Phase 2), Ebbw / Sirhowy, Dysynni, Atro, and Dwyryd.
Through the Winter period of 2021 we will be surveying Severn (Phase 2), Ebbw / Sirhowy, Dysynni, Atro, and Dwyryd.
All opportunities for fisheries habitat improvements have been prioritised. Issues include; barriers to fish migration, damaged or degraded riparian habitats (including erosion), over or under shading, invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), damage from livestock poaching or grazing, and adjacent land use problems (such as soil, herbicide, pesticide, nutrient run off), etc.
The information gathered from surveys, including photographs, has been combined with known data to produce catchment specific reports. Afonydd Cymru have collated every issue pertaining to fisheries habitat and migration into one document, and onto GIS, which have been used to guide Welsh Government / Natural Resources Wales’ fisheries restoration programme.
