Ribble salmon populations show signs of recovery

Early survey results from the Ribble Rivers Trust indicate a potential recovery of Atlantic salmon populations within the Ribble catchment. Following years of decline due to pollution, habitat loss, and migration barriers, recent surveys have recorded record numbers of juvenile fish.

At one specific site, staff recorded over 100 young salmon in a few minutes, while another location reported its first salmon sightings in more than a decade. These findings are viewed as a positive response to 25 years of targeted river restoration efforts, which include removing migration barriers, restoring floodplains, and improving spawning habitats through projects such as gravel restoration at Langden Brook.

As an indicator species, the rebound of Atlantic salmon suggests broader improvements in the overall health of the river systems, which include the Rivers Ribble, Hodder, Calder, Darwen, and Douglas.