Although the Wye is well known for its salmon fisheries, no data, other than very basic fisheries statistics (Wye River Division Annual Reports) are available to assess the status of these fisheries. The current programme, primarily restricted to the upper reaches of the river where the effects of regulation are likely to be greatest, is intended to describe the distribution of salmonid and coarse fish and to assess the stock of salmonid species.
In a large river like the Wye where conventional sampling techniques are generally inadequate (E.I.F.A.C. 1974) only certain species and life-stages are likely to be sampled adequately. In order to supplement data collected from the main river a number of representative tributaries, above and below the proposed point of regulation of the river have been studied, primarily to obtain base-line data so that any major change in the distribution of salmon can be detected.
In order to establish some relationship between spawning adult salmon and recruitment, a programme of adult trapping on a nursery tributary was undertaken during November and December 1975.
In conjunction with W.N.W.D.A. (Brecon) and the Wye River Division, a programme has been designed to assess the catchability of adult salmon in the River Wye
