Atlantic Salmon Trust and Salmon & Trout Association welcome common sense approach by Government to tidal energy generation

The Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) and Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) welcome the Government‟s announcement that there is currently no strategic case for a tidal power scheme for the Severn Estuary. The Government has cited the enormous cost of such a scheme, alongside its likely environmental impact, as the main reasons for shelving it.

In their joint response to the consultation process, the AST and the S&TA highlighted the threat that a tidal barrage posed to Atlantic salmon and other migratory fish. This is borne out by the Government's feasibility study, which predicts that a tidal barrage would cause affected salmon stocks to collapse, with the likely extinction of some local populations. As we have made clear, neither organisation is opposed to the sustainable use of tidal power to generate green energy, but this must not be at the expense of wildlife or its habitats.

By waiting a little longer for the results of rapidly improving tidal power technology, we believe that the energy afforded by the second largest tidal range in the world will allow significant power generation from the Severn Estuary in future, with minimal impact on the environment or its dependent species. In particular, there should be no need to construct a barrage across the entire estuary, with its attendant issues of blocking migration routes for salmon and several other species.

Ivor Llewelyn, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, said, “'The feasibility study has confirmed what we have been saying all along - that a barrage across the Severn estuary would be very damaging for salmon, which could have faced extinction in the Wye and the Usk, as well as in the Severn itself. We are very pleased that the Government has listened to us and to all the other environmental organisations that have been working to safeguard this unique ecosystem.'

S&TA‟s Chief Executive, Paul Knight, said, “We are delighted that the Government has seen sense over this issue. The impact on fish, birds and their habitats would have been catastrophic if a full tidal barrage had been constructed, and therefore the energy generated could never have been described as „green‟. We now look forward to proposals which will harness the Severn‟s power, while safeguarding all its wildlife for future generations.”

ENDS

Issued on behalf of the Salmon & Trout Association and Atlantic Salmon Trust

For further information:

Veronica Kruger

E: veronica@hotchkiss-krugerassociates.co.uk

T: 01980 630189

M: 07850642655

Notes to Editors

1. The Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) was established in 1903 to address the damage done to our rivers by the polluting effects of the Industrial Revolution. For 105 years, the Association has worked tirelessly to protect fisheries, fish stocks and the wider aquatic environment on behalf of game angling and fisheries. In 2008 it was granted charitable status. S&TA‟s charitable objectives empowers it to use its highly regarded influencing skills to address all issues affecting fish and the aquatic environment, backed up by strong scientific evidence from its burgeoning Science Department – a vital factor in 21st century policy and decision making processes. Its charitable status enables it to take the widest possible remit in protecting salmonid fish stocks, and everything on which they depend.

2. The Atlantic Salmon Trust is a UK based charity with Atlantic wide interests which works for the conservation of wild salmon and sea trout. Set up in 1967, it

§ supports marine and freshwater research

§ gives independent research-based advice to governments, international and national authorities and to commercial enterprises

§ co-ordinates activities with other conservation, environmental, fishery, heritage and wildlife agencies and organisations

§ holds and supports seminars and workshops to investigate specific issues

§ publishes high quality reports and booklets to inform and to educate.