geoffmaynard
Content Editor
A few of you will know I recently moved to Hay on the Welsh border, and the river Wye. The salmon didn't take long to get my attention and I managed three last season, two of them on the fly whilst spey casting; best one was just over 12lb. I recommend it to you all!
Naturally I dipped a toe into the online salmon forums and entered as a rank beginner, picking up all kinds of information and finding myself in the middle of a heated 'debate' (these guys are close to killing each other sometimes ) about the 'potential' damage which can be done to the genetic integrity (I kid you not) re if any offspring of returning hatchery fish mated with wild fish.
There are two main camps: pro hatchery and anti-hatchery, with some fishery scientists in each corner. The latter camp want to shut down hatcheries and these are currently the blokes in power promoting what I see as a fashionable and money-saving view. This viewpoint is being held as the prime reason to shut down any stocking and even close hatcheries, even though the river is still on its knees decades after the last salmon crash.
The bit I don't get is how this Genetic Integrity idea is so firmly entrenched in the game-fish world but seems not to matter a button in the coarse fish world, where the EA regularly stock, from the only (?) fish farm we have at Calverton, (e.g.) Trent barbel into the Thames, Ouse, Kennet etc. Diversity used to be considered good, now its all mixed up
Perhaps TBO Phil or someone else who is qualified can comment on this - or explain the apparent dichotomy? (If thats the right word)
Naturally I dipped a toe into the online salmon forums and entered as a rank beginner, picking up all kinds of information and finding myself in the middle of a heated 'debate' (these guys are close to killing each other sometimes ) about the 'potential' damage which can be done to the genetic integrity (I kid you not) re if any offspring of returning hatchery fish mated with wild fish.
There are two main camps: pro hatchery and anti-hatchery, with some fishery scientists in each corner. The latter camp want to shut down hatcheries and these are currently the blokes in power promoting what I see as a fashionable and money-saving view. This viewpoint is being held as the prime reason to shut down any stocking and even close hatcheries, even though the river is still on its knees decades after the last salmon crash.
The bit I don't get is how this Genetic Integrity idea is so firmly entrenched in the game-fish world but seems not to matter a button in the coarse fish world, where the EA regularly stock, from the only (?) fish farm we have at Calverton, (e.g.) Trent barbel into the Thames, Ouse, Kennet etc. Diversity used to be considered good, now its all mixed up
Perhaps TBO Phil or someone else who is qualified can comment on this - or explain the apparent dichotomy? (If thats the right word)