Enabling Westcountry Rivers Trust and Tidelines to deliver a holistic project enhancing the River Exe for salmon passage whilst engaging the local community with the issues faced by our local salmon populations.

Atlantic salmon has declined by 70% nationally in the past 25 years. The increase in ‘boom and bust’ river flows in recent decades has exacerbated flooding and drought, and presents multiple challenges for water quality and biodiversity.

Our grant aims to halt the decline of freshwater fish populations on the River Exe, particularly the Atlantic salmon, by improving fish passage connectivity and restoring life-stage habitat to maximise the opportunities for their natural recovery.

It will also deliver the popular Salmon Run event on 29th September 2024, to connect local people with the restoration work, while incorporating education, health, and wellbeing – bringing the plight of Atlantic salmon above the water’s surface to promote this keystone species and its importance for the culture and ecology of the Exe.

The project deliverables include:

• 2km river and fish habitat improvements – selective sunlight and bankside trees to promote primary productivity, habitat heterogeneity, and river protection to boost fish egg and juvenile survival;
• Fish survey of Exe catchment;
• Fry Index fish survey conducted to inform on success of previous habitat improvements and signpost future areas of interest;
• Salmon Run 2024 (5km fun run, 10km relay, 80km ultramarathon);
• Salmon Run toolkit – legacy guide for other river groups to increase awareness of their own freshwater habitats;
• Salmon Run podcast to share the challenges Salmon face, and wider habitat issues.

Image credits: Westcountry Rivers Trust and Tidelines.