First time in 200years!!
Salmon spotted at higher reaches of the Monnow for the first time in 200 years
Specialists from Environment Agency Wales have spotted salmon leaping at Kentchurch Weir on the River Monnow for the first time in some 200 years.
Since completion of the £600,000 fish pass at Osbaston Weir earlier this year, salmon are now getting further up river than since the industrial revolution.
Agency staff saw six other salmon attempting to pass the weir.
Although Kentchurch Weir has good spawning and nursery areas for migratory fish, more work is planned on the Monnow, including at the weir, to give more access to pristine spawning grounds further upstream.
Pete Gough, Environment Agency Wales, who witnessed the historic sight, said:
“It was truly amazing to see the salmon leaping this weir considering they haven’t been able to that for some 200 years. Salmon and sea trout need to get to their spawning grounds so we can boost their numbers in the Monnow."
“Game fish like this bring in millions of pounds into the rural economy every year. With this work we are trying to improve their numbers for another 200 years plus."
Removing obstacles like weirs is a priority for Wales in the new Water Framework Directive. Its aims are to improve the rivers for wildlife and for people and this work is a key part of that.