Catch and Release now mandatory on the River Wye

The EA go on to say:

‘We are aware that the majority of anglers have acted very responsibly over the past decade or so and have returned their fish in response to ongoing requests by the Environment Agency and the Wye and Usk Foundation. However a minority of anglers has continued to kill fish, despite the depleted nature of the stocks, and it is for that reason that these byelaws have become essential. The effect of the byelaws on stock abundance will be kept under review, and ministers have required a formal mid-term review of the effect of the new measures. We hope that stock recovery will result in the end of this byelaw at the earliest opportunity.
We stress that alongside this action many other initiatives are underway to improve the environment of the River Wye and its fish populations including’:-
• The Agency has taken further action to strictly regulate the estuary fisheries that catch salmon destined for the River Wye. This will reduce the number of salmon caught in the estuary by about 75%.
• The Agency and its partner, the Wye and Usk Foundation, has invested in building fish passes and removing barriers to improve access for salmon and other fish to high quality habitats. For example two Agency fish passage projects in the Monnow have made over 180km of previously inaccessible stream available.
• The Agency has facilitated major new funding streams in the Wye catchment and together with the Wye and Usk Foundation will undertake more work to restore damaged habitats and to improve water quality.
• The Agency has supported, as key partner, the Wye and Usk Foundation with funding, technical support and advice since 1998.
A healthy salmon population in the river will not only benefit local anglers, but will also benefit local economies by attracting visiting anglers from across the country. Fishing in all of its forms is worth over £150m to the Welsh economy.

Under the byelaws:-
• all salmon and sea trout caught must be returned to the river
• the byelaws will be in place for 10 years
• there will be a formal mid-term review

Lastly, please bare in mind when fishing to observe the following basic points:

• Play it quickly – this means having the appropriate gear
• Don’t lift it out of the water at any time
• A net helps to do this but keep the fish calm while unhooking it
• Used debarbed or barbless hooks
• If the hook is deeply embedded, do not attempt surgery – cut the cast and leave it in situ
• Return the fish in a quieter piece of water, holding it upright facing upstream