Project Dates: 01.08.2024 to 30.10.2025

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.

IMPACT SUMMARY JANUARY 2026

Project Activities:

• The project supported a program of >13km of habitat works, fisheries surveys and the Salmon Run community outreach.
• Habitat improvements were targeted using the extensive Westcountry Rivers Trust Exe electrofishing dataset and catchment knowledge.
• Habitat improvements were strategically targeted and included:

• The Salmon Run consists of three parts: a 5km Fun Run (or walk) for all the family and abilities, a 50-mile (80km) team relay event, and a sea-to-source 44 mile (72km) ultra-marathon for those wishing to challenge themselves. In light of weather warnings for high winds, the 2024 relay and fun-run element were cancelled.

Project Impact:

• To increase the legacy of the event this year’s event is hosting a symposium of arts and conservation at the race start in Exmouth. This event will celebrate Atlantic salmon and the River Exe and aim to increase engagement and awareness of the plight of the Atlantic salmon.
• During the project duration, a Salmon Run guide pack is being produced. The aim of the guide pack is to publish the formula of the Salmon Run event to be emulated elsewhere to help raise awareness of the need for river conservation and the challenges faced by migratory fish.
• The overall impact of the project is to incorporate community and increase engagement, to overcome adversity and challenges with restoring the natural world.
• Through implementing habitat improvements, the project will increase the Exe Rivers suitability for salmon.