Riverwoods - a Complete Environmental Problem

For the first Library meeting of the Autumn Programme, Adrian Bryant introduced this fim to Coastwise members; it encapsulates the issue for which the sympton is the decline of Atlantic Salmon running up to their historic breeding grounds in spate rivers.

The decline has been most felt in Scotland, where there has been a valuable economy in the remoter Highland ares depending upon visiting fishermen, but it also affects the Taw and Torridge more locally.

Although the film highlights the decline of the upland habitat, describing how deforestation, leading to lack of tree roots in the water, and shelter from the sun, has adversely affected salmon fry development.

Incresed frequency of high rainfall with rivers in spate also hits fry development as does watercourse straightening, and land drainage.

The salmon life cycle involves a major 4-5 yr migration from the birth river to the sea a s far as Iceland and Norway, then a return guided by scent to their birth river. Nowadays this involves passing man-made barriers such as weirs and dams, but the Latin name Salar salar means 'leaping', although even with fish ladders, this is not alsways possible for the fish.

The time at sea is also becoming a challenge, with increased 'factory-scale' fishing. Warmer water also means the fish grow more quickly, meaning that they embark on this migration too soon for successful survival.

Wayne and James Thomas also gave talks on the effects on fishermen, and how roiver management is being ramped up buy concerned orgaisations.