HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PETITION AGAIN;
www.wyesalmon.com/epetition.html
or this; Help The Recovery of the Wye Salmon - Petitions24.com
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------ SOME SOBERING STUFF FROM THE AST BELOW.
> Subject: Atlantic Salmon Trust 2014 Annual Review
> Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2015 10:41:29 +0000
> From: newsletter@newsletter.astnews.org.uk
>
>
>
> If you cannot read this message - please click here
> <http://www.astnews.org.uk/view_message.php?message=54A6B6B3DC309>
>
> <http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/>
>
> <http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/>
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust 2014 Annual Review
>
> The purpose of this review is to give an overview of where we are in
> identifying and dealing with challenges faced by wild Atlantic salmon
> and sea trout throughout their lives.
>
> There is no point in concealing the hard truth that the wild Atlantic
> salmon is in danger of extinction, at the very least in their southern
> range. Already the species is virtually extinct from USA. In the
> 1970s, Bay of Fundy rivers in Canada had runs of 40,000 salmon
> annually: they now have less than 200. Portuguese rivers no longer
> have salmon and the rivers of Galicia and Asturias are on the edge, as
> are the rivers of southern France, despite heroic efforts by fishery
> managers.
>
> Rivers such as the Dorset Frome and other English South Coast rivers
> are already feeling the effects of climate change, as are many
> un-shaded upland streams further north, in the Dee and Spey catchments
> in Scotland, for example.
>
> If we are to face the reality of our changing environment we need to
> deal with the issue of the collapse of wild Atlantic salmon stocks. We
> must face the question, is extinction of the species inevitable?
>
> If the answer is "yes", then, what is the timescale? And what can be
> done to delay that inevitability, and for how long?
>
> If the answer is "No", can we give the wild salmon time & space for
> its natural resilience to kick in? and what are the priorities for
> redressing damage to stocks already done, and protecting stocks under
> threat, or likely to be so?
>
> We cannot produce a review of AST's work in 2014 without reference to
> the current status of wild Atlantic salmon stocks. Anyone with an
> interest in the species will be aware of the last two years of low
> catches in the North Atlantic countries, with the notable exception of
> Russia's Kola Peninsula. Early returns indicate that 2014 catches in
> North America, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and the UK were considerably
> lower than the five year average.
>
> As with most issues in the natural world, the situation is more
> complex than might at first appear. For example, MSW salmon returning
> to some Scottish and Irish east coast rivers between February and May
> arrived in reasonable numbers and were in excellent condition. The
> Irish Slaney, for example, had its best spring returns for thirty
> years, with most fish in prime condition and with average weights of
> 12lbs to 15lbs. A similar spring season was enjoyed by rods on the
> Scottish rivers, Tay, North Esk and South Esk. All these fish were
> caught and returned, while coastal netting of salmon was delayed until
> April.
>
> In contrast, there is evidence that extreme flooding in the wake of
> Hurricane Bertha reduced juvenile density considerably in some
> Scottish upper catchment tributaries. Angling conditions in many North
> Atlantic seaboard rivers were not conducive to high-catch returns.
> Grilse returns in European salmon countries were at best variable, in
> some cases virtually non-existent. Much of this had been predicted by
> marine ecologists, notably at the Institute of Marine Research,
> Bergen.
>
> Ecological indicators tell us that the trend of improving spring runs
> may continue, 'all things being equal', by which I am referring to
> prevailing weather conditions, including drought, extreme flooding,
> high energy oceanic weather events and rising sea temperatures.
> Environmental volatility, which is largely unpredictable, can have
> profound effects on migrations at sea, as well as on freshwater
> productivity. It is not surprising therefore that some freshwater
> managers are saying, "there is clearly nothing we can do to improve
> the situation at sea, so let's concentrate our efforts on improving
> the river environment"
>
> The picture is a mixed one, so what are the facts at our disposal?
> Where are the 'choke points' in the life of the wild Atlantic salmon?
> Can we prioritise threats to survival in terms of the a) seriousness
> of the risks they pose to salmon survival b) ability of human
> interventions to increase numbers of returning salmon?
>
> Can human intervention make any difference at all to mitigate the
> effects of climate change on salmon stocks at sea?
>
> Here are some facts & anthropogenic factors:
>
> Numbers of wild Atlantic salmon at sea have declined by more than 60%
> between 1970 and 2014, and are now extinct in more than 300 North
> Atlantic seaboard river catchments.
> For every wild Atlantic salmon in the sea, there are more than 200
> farmed Atlantic salmon in open net cages, 'sharing' the same coastal
> waters. Recent scientific research indicates that impacts of
> parasites, pollution and disease from salmon farming on the coastal
> environment and wildlife may be far greater than previously assessed.
> Despite international pressure to put an end to mixed stocks drift
> and coastal netting, and the continuing decline in killing salmon by
> anglers, the number of wild salmon killed by human exploitation in the
> bio-region remains too high for a species under pressure of
> extinction.
>
> In 2013 for example, one Scottish coastal mixed stocks net fishery
> killed 7,159 salmon and grilse, while the total number of salmon
> killed by nets and fixed engines in England and Wales was 24% above
> the average of the previous five years.
> The SALSEA project demonstrated that wild Atlantic salmon swim
> alongside and within shoals of horse mackerel and herring. We
> therefore know for certain that some salmon, at different stages of
> their marine phase, are being accidentally caught up in the nets of
> commercial trawlers. We now need to know the extent of that by-catch,
> as well as where and when it takes place. If it is found that the
> impacts on wild Atlantic salmon stocks are significant, AST will use
> its position as a full Executive Committee member of the EU's Pelagic
> Advisory Council (PELAC) to influence fisheries policy in the
> direction of salmon conservation.
>
> Following the Salmon Summit in La Rochelle in 2011 AST developed its
> 'Three Pillars Strategy' which is designed to encompass the whole life
> of the wild Atlantic Salmon, in both fresh and salt water. The notes
> below summarise AST's current portfolio of work under the new
> Strategy:
>
> Some Priorities for Action
>
> Thinking about the North Atlantic Ocean as the salmon's bio-region,
> is to follow the migration of our very own salmon from their juvenile
> time in upland burns of river catchments to the rich feeding grounds
> in the Ocean itself. It is not fanciful to think globally in this way.
> Indeed, I would argue that to fail to do so inhibits our aspirations
> to return our salmon rivers to the abundance of the 1970s. We have to
> think about the whole life of our salmon.
>
> We need widespread recognition that continuing to spend most of our
> limited resources on the 5% of fish that get back to our rivers is to
> ignore the 95% that die at sea. There must be a far better balance of
> effort and resources than we have at present.
>
> AST is committed to a 'Big Picture' approach to salmon conservation.
> By that we mean wild Atlantic salmon throughout their lives in all
> parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. The wild Atlantic salmon is a
> pelagic fish that interacts with other species throughout their marine
> phase. We cannot treat them in isolation, as has been the tendency
> until recently.We therefore recognise that it is essential to work
> cooperatively across international borders in all parts of the ocean
> bio-region.
>
> We want to concentrate on research and actions which have a prospect
> of producing measurable outcomes within a reasonable timescale. We are
> therefore looking closely at areas where human intervention can make a
> difference to numbers of adult salmon returning to rivers throughout
> the North Atlantic region.
>
> Themes include:
>
> reducing exploitation, including accidental by-catch
> removing or adapting obstructions to migrations
> establishing 'safe' migration routes
> educating the public on the predicament of Atlantic salmon
> influencing development of sustainable aquaculture
> influencing decision makers in order to benefit salmon conservation
> initiating international meetings and fora for discussion on key
> issues
>
> Within these themes there are three projects which urgently require
> funding:
>
> Project One: By-Catch
>
> Innovative E-DNA pilot project to address the problems of accidental
> by-catch by pelagic trawlers. Our concern is the likelihood that post
> smolt migrations, relatively densely packed within coastal currents,
> may be inadvertently caught up in huge purse-seine nets. It is
> conceivable that the outward migration of a small river catchment
> could be decimated by pelagic trawlers. (See project proposal on
> website)
>
> Project Two: 'Safe' Migration Routes
>
> Establishing safe migration pathways for salmon between their native
> river estuaries and their feeding grounds. This project requires
> building on data from the SALSEA project and subsequent tracking
> projects to define migration routes prior to negotiating with national
> and international governments and organisations to agree protocols to
> reduce poaching and accidental damage to wild salmon stocks.
>
> Project Three: Post-Smolts and 'Waiting' Adults in Estuaries and
> Tidal Waters
>
> AST and others are concerned over the high rate of mortality of
> smolts in the days after they enter the sea. We recognise that the
> inherent vulnerability of these little fish, weakened by
> osmo-regulation and local conditions may cause huge variations in
> survival rates. Research is urgently required to establish what
> proportions of smolts die from causes such as predation, pollution,
> dredging, disease, infrastructural obstructions, drought etc in the
> intertidal zone. If we are able to identify a) the extent of the loss
> b) the causes we should be able to develop remedial actions. The same
> applies to return migrations prevented from entering home rivers where
> it is thought thatr up to 50% can die in adverse conditions.
>
> Please visit AST's website http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org
> for more details, or for a less formal source of information, AST's
> Facebook Pages.
>
> In the meantime, please keep in touch with the rivers you love
> through AST'S LIVE RIVER PICTURES.
>
> http://farsondigitalwatercams.com/pages/atlantic_salmon_trust_sign_up
>
> Every subscription contributes �5 to our programme of research.
>
> Over the next year we will be expanding our Live River Pictures
> network in the UK and Ireland, and we then hope to introduce new live
> web cameras on Atlantic salmon rivers in other countries soon
> afterwards.
>
> The AST team wishes you many happy days during 2015 on the banks of
> one of Nature's finest creations - an Atlantic salmon river!
>
> Tony Andrews
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust
>
> December 2014
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust, Suite 3/11, King James VI Business Centre,
> Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG
>
> Tel: 01738 472032 - Email: info@atlanticsalmontrust.org
> <mailto:info@atlanticsalmontrust.org>
> - http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org
>
> If you have any comments regarding this e-communication please email
> feedback <mailto:info@atlanticsalmontrust.org>
>
>
>
> http://newsletter.astnews.org.uk/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=269497ece38348dcc51cb0b547ef14e4
>
>
>
>
> --
> powered by phpList, www.phplist.com --
>
>
> Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2015 10:41:29 +0000
> From: newsletter@newsletter.astnews.org.uk
>
>
>
> If you cannot read this message - please click here
> <http://www.astnews.org.uk/view_message.php?message=54A6B6B3DC309>
>
> <http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/>
>
> <http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/>
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust 2014 Annual Review
>
> The purpose of this review is to give an overview of where we are in
> identifying and dealing with challenges faced by wild Atlantic salmon
> and sea trout throughout their lives.
>
> There is no point in concealing the hard truth that the wild Atlantic
> salmon is in danger of extinction, at the very least in their southern
> range. Already the species is virtually extinct from USA. In the
> 1970s, Bay of Fundy rivers in Canada had runs of 40,000 salmon
> annually: they now have less than 200. Portuguese rivers no longer
> have salmon and the rivers of Galicia and Asturias are on the edge, as
> are the rivers of southern France, despite heroic efforts by fishery
> managers.
>
> Rivers such as the Dorset Frome and other English South Coast rivers
> are already feeling the effects of climate change, as are many
> un-shaded upland streams further north, in the Dee and Spey catchments
> in Scotland, for example.
>
> If we are to face the reality of our changing environment we need to
> deal with the issue of the collapse of wild Atlantic salmon stocks. We
> must face the question, is extinction of the species inevitable?
>
> If the answer is "yes", then, what is the timescale? And what can be
> done to delay that inevitability, and for how long?
>
> If the answer is "No", can we give the wild salmon time & space for
> its natural resilience to kick in? and what are the priorities for
> redressing damage to stocks already done, and protecting stocks under
> threat, or likely to be so?
>
> We cannot produce a review of AST's work in 2014 without reference to
> the current status of wild Atlantic salmon stocks. Anyone with an
> interest in the species will be aware of the last two years of low
> catches in the North Atlantic countries, with the notable exception of
> Russia's Kola Peninsula. Early returns indicate that 2014 catches in
> North America, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and the UK were considerably
> lower than the five year average.
>
> As with most issues in the natural world, the situation is more
> complex than might at first appear. For example, MSW salmon returning
> to some Scottish and Irish east coast rivers between February and May
> arrived in reasonable numbers and were in excellent condition. The
> Irish Slaney, for example, had its best spring returns for thirty
> years, with most fish in prime condition and with average weights of
> 12lbs to 15lbs. A similar spring season was enjoyed by rods on the
> Scottish rivers, Tay, North Esk and South Esk. All these fish were
> caught and returned, while coastal netting of salmon was delayed until
> April.
>
> In contrast, there is evidence that extreme flooding in the wake of
> Hurricane Bertha reduced juvenile density considerably in some
> Scottish upper catchment tributaries. Angling conditions in many North
> Atlantic seaboard rivers were not conducive to high-catch returns.
> Grilse returns in European salmon countries were at best variable, in
> some cases virtually non-existent. Much of this had been predicted by
> marine ecologists, notably at the Institute of Marine Research,
> Bergen.
>
> Ecological indicators tell us that the trend of improving spring runs
> may continue, 'all things being equal', by which I am referring to
> prevailing weather conditions, including drought, extreme flooding,
> high energy oceanic weather events and rising sea temperatures.
> Environmental volatility, which is largely unpredictable, can have
> profound effects on migrations at sea, as well as on freshwater
> productivity. It is not surprising therefore that some freshwater
> managers are saying, "there is clearly nothing we can do to improve
> the situation at sea, so let's concentrate our efforts on improving
> the river environment"
>
> The picture is a mixed one, so what are the facts at our disposal?
> Where are the 'choke points' in the life of the wild Atlantic salmon?
> Can we prioritise threats to survival in terms of the a) seriousness
> of the risks they pose to salmon survival b) ability of human
> interventions to increase numbers of returning salmon?
>
> Can human intervention make any difference at all to mitigate the
> effects of climate change on salmon stocks at sea?
>
> Here are some facts & anthropogenic factors:
>
> Numbers of wild Atlantic salmon at sea have declined by more than 60%
> between 1970 and 2014, and are now extinct in more than 300 North
> Atlantic seaboard river catchments.
> For every wild Atlantic salmon in the sea, there are more than 200
> farmed Atlantic salmon in open net cages, 'sharing' the same coastal
> waters. Recent scientific research indicates that impacts of
> parasites, pollution and disease from salmon farming on the coastal
> environment and wildlife may be far greater than previously assessed.
> Despite international pressure to put an end to mixed stocks drift
> and coastal netting, and the continuing decline in killing salmon by
> anglers, the number of wild salmon killed by human exploitation in the
> bio-region remains too high for a species under pressure of
> extinction.
>
> In 2013 for example, one Scottish coastal mixed stocks net fishery
> killed 7,159 salmon and grilse, while the total number of salmon
> killed by nets and fixed engines in England and Wales was 24% above
> the average of the previous five years.
> The SALSEA project demonstrated that wild Atlantic salmon swim
> alongside and within shoals of horse mackerel and herring. We
> therefore know for certain that some salmon, at different stages of
> their marine phase, are being accidentally caught up in the nets of
> commercial trawlers. We now need to know the extent of that by-catch,
> as well as where and when it takes place. If it is found that the
> impacts on wild Atlantic salmon stocks are significant, AST will use
> its position as a full Executive Committee member of the EU's Pelagic
> Advisory Council (PELAC) to influence fisheries policy in the
> direction of salmon conservation.
>
> Following the Salmon Summit in La Rochelle in 2011 AST developed its
> 'Three Pillars Strategy' which is designed to encompass the whole life
> of the wild Atlantic Salmon, in both fresh and salt water. The notes
> below summarise AST's current portfolio of work under the new
> Strategy:
>
> Some Priorities for Action
>
> Thinking about the North Atlantic Ocean as the salmon's bio-region,
> is to follow the migration of our very own salmon from their juvenile
> time in upland burns of river catchments to the rich feeding grounds
> in the Ocean itself. It is not fanciful to think globally in this way.
> Indeed, I would argue that to fail to do so inhibits our aspirations
> to return our salmon rivers to the abundance of the 1970s. We have to
> think about the whole life of our salmon.
>
> We need widespread recognition that continuing to spend most of our
> limited resources on the 5% of fish that get back to our rivers is to
> ignore the 95% that die at sea. There must be a far better balance of
> effort and resources than we have at present.
>
> AST is committed to a 'Big Picture' approach to salmon conservation.
> By that we mean wild Atlantic salmon throughout their lives in all
> parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. The wild Atlantic salmon is a
> pelagic fish that interacts with other species throughout their marine
> phase. We cannot treat them in isolation, as has been the tendency
> until recently.We therefore recognise that it is essential to work
> cooperatively across international borders in all parts of the ocean
> bio-region.
>
> We want to concentrate on research and actions which have a prospect
> of producing measurable outcomes within a reasonable timescale. We are
> therefore looking closely at areas where human intervention can make a
> difference to numbers of adult salmon returning to rivers throughout
> the North Atlantic region.
>
> Themes include:
>
> reducing exploitation, including accidental by-catch
> removing or adapting obstructions to migrations
> establishing 'safe' migration routes
> educating the public on the predicament of Atlantic salmon
> influencing development of sustainable aquaculture
> influencing decision makers in order to benefit salmon conservation
> initiating international meetings and fora for discussion on key
> issues
>
> Within these themes there are three projects which urgently require
> funding:
>
> Project One: By-Catch
>
> Innovative E-DNA pilot project to address the problems of accidental
> by-catch by pelagic trawlers. Our concern is the likelihood that post
> smolt migrations, relatively densely packed within coastal currents,
> may be inadvertently caught up in huge purse-seine nets. It is
> conceivable that the outward migration of a small river catchment
> could be decimated by pelagic trawlers. (See project proposal on
> website)
>
> Project Two: 'Safe' Migration Routes
>
> Establishing safe migration pathways for salmon between their native
> river estuaries and their feeding grounds. This project requires
> building on data from the SALSEA project and subsequent tracking
> projects to define migration routes prior to negotiating with national
> and international governments and organisations to agree protocols to
> reduce poaching and accidental damage to wild salmon stocks.
>
> Project Three: Post-Smolts and 'Waiting' Adults in Estuaries and
> Tidal Waters
>
> AST and others are concerned over the high rate of mortality of
> smolts in the days after they enter the sea. We recognise that the
> inherent vulnerability of these little fish, weakened by
> osmo-regulation and local conditions may cause huge variations in
> survival rates. Research is urgently required to establish what
> proportions of smolts die from causes such as predation, pollution,
> dredging, disease, infrastructural obstructions, drought etc in the
> intertidal zone. If we are able to identify a) the extent of the loss
> b) the causes we should be able to develop remedial actions. The same
> applies to return migrations prevented from entering home rivers where
> it is thought thatr up to 50% can die in adverse conditions.
>
> Please visit AST's website http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org
> for more details, or for a less formal source of information, AST's
> Facebook Pages.
>
> In the meantime, please keep in touch with the rivers you love
> through AST'S LIVE RIVER PICTURES.
>
> http://farsondigitalwatercams.com/pages/atlantic_salmon_trust_sign_up
>
> Every subscription contributes �5 to our programme of research.
>
> Over the next year we will be expanding our Live River Pictures
> network in the UK and Ireland, and we then hope to introduce new live
> web cameras on Atlantic salmon rivers in other countries soon
> afterwards.
>
> The AST team wishes you many happy days during 2015 on the banks of
> one of Nature's finest creations - an Atlantic salmon river!
>
> Tony Andrews
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust
>
> December 2014
>
> Atlantic Salmon Trust, Suite 3/11, King James VI Business Centre,
> Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG
>
> Tel: 01738 472032 - Email: info@atlanticsalmontrust.org
> <mailto:info@atlanticsalmontrust.org>
> - http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org
>
> If you have any comments regarding this e-communication please email
> feedback <mailto:info@atlanticsalmontrust.org>
>
>
>
> http://newsletter.astnews.org.uk/lists/?p=unsubscribe&uid=269497ece38348dcc51cb0b547ef14e4
>
>
>
>
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