§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in re-introducing salmon to the River Taff; and if we will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe National Rivers Authority has been carrying out a programme, started in 1985 by the Welsh water authority, to reinstate salmon to the River Taff. This work has included the control of pollution, the construction of fish passes on weirs, the transfer of adult salmon to suitable spawning grounds, controlling illegal fishing and improving fish habitat. In addition the river has been stocked with over 100,000 juvenile salmon. The success of the programme is demonstrated by the numbers of adult salmon returning to the Taff. In 1990, 195 salmon were reported caught from the Taff, whereas prior to 1983 very few salmon had been recorded in the river this century.