A SERIES of environmental projects is being credited with anglers on the river Wye recording the highest levels of salmon catches for 20 years.

Anglers reported 1,665 Atlantic salmon caught this year, 36 per cent higher than 2015 and 366 per cent better than 2002, the worst year ever for the river when only 357 were landed. The steady improvement in catches since 2002 bucks the trend of most other rivers in the UK.

The river’s 2016 catch also included plenty of sizeable fish with two estimated at 40lbs and 73 fish over 20lb.

The major factor in the changing fortunes of this iconic species is believed to be a series of projects led by the Wye & Usk Foundation with partners Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency. Over the past 20 years these projects have invested over £9 million in the Wye, funded by the EU, Government agencies and other organisations, fishery owners and individuals.

They have reduced the number of salmon that are killed in the river and estuary, built fish passes and removed weirs, improved stream habitat and restored both the quantity and quality of the water. The objective has been to restore the river’s ecology in a permanent and sustainable way, significantly expanding the salmonÕs spawning capability in the Wye and increasing the number of juvenile fish surviving to migrate out to sea.

The Wye’s other fish species including trout, grayling and coarse fish are also benefiting from this work, along with wildlife such as otters, herons and kingfishers. The river is now visited by anglers from all over Europe and as far away as Japan and New Zealand, boosting the rural economy.

Simon Evans, recently appointed chief executive of the Wye and Usk Foundation (WUF), said: "With so much gloom in the state of the environment elsewhere, we are delighted with the revival in Wye salmon numbers. This has been made possible by the work of WUF and its partners to correct the massive problems across the catchment that caused the crash in salmon populations."

He added: "This could not have been done without the support of our partners and funders, and the vision and drive of Stephen Marsh-Smith, our previous CEO, during his 21-year tenure at the helm of WUF."

Mick Palfrey, who has fished the Wye for 70 years, said: "It was exciting to see salmon everywhere this year and our club has had one of its best seasons for some time. It’s great that the health of the river is improving for all species."