River Camel - Salmon

Salmon Salmo salar

(SAC 1106 Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection)

The Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species (i.e. adults migrate from the sea to breed in freshwater). Spawning takes place in shallow excavations called redds, found in shallow gravelly areas in clean rivers and streams where the water flows swiftly. The young that emerge spread out into other parts of the river. After a period of 1-6 years the young salmon migrate downstream to the sea as ‘smolts’. Salmon have a homing instinct that draws them back to spawn in the river of their birth after 1-3 years in the sea. This behaviour has resulted in genetically distinct stock between rivers and even within individual rivers, with some evidence of further genetic distinctiveness in the tributaries of large rivers.

Salmon rivers vary considerably in their ecological and hydrological characteristics and in the life-cycle strategies adopted by the salmon within them. There are particularly strong contrasts between southern and northern rivers, and the UK’s varied climate, geology and terrain means that high diversity can be found within some of the large rivers. The cool and wet climate in the north, often with harder, more resistant rocks and steeper slopes, results in salmon rivers that are sparsely vegetated, nutrient-poor and prone to sudden increases in flow (‘spates’) in response to heavy downfalls or sudden snow-melt. As a result, salmon may take several years to reach the smolt stage and migrate to sea. In the south, rivers flow across gentler terrain and softer rocks, in a warmer, drier climate. Here, salmon often grow sufficiently quickly to smolt as yearlings.

The species is subject to many pressures in Europe, including pollution, the introduction of non-native salmon stocks, physical barriers to migration, exploitation from netting and angling, physical degradation of spawning and nursery habitat, and increased marine mortality.

The Atlantic salmon Salmo salar is widely distributed within the EU, ranging from Portugal in the south to Sweden and Finland in the north. The UK salmon population comprises a significant proportion of the total European stock. Scottish rivers in particular are a European stronghold for the species.

UK status and distribution Click to view UK distribution of this species

The Atlantic salmon Salmo salar is a widespread species in the UK and is found in several hundred rivers, many of which have adult runs in excess of 1000. The latest estimates of the UK spawning population size (ICES 2000) are, however, about 50% down on the ten-year average.

The UK salmon population is important in a European context, and this has influenced the selection of SACs. Site selection has focused on the identification of rivers holding large salmon populations across the geographical range of the species in the UK. Site selection has also taken into account the considerable variation in the ecological and hydrological characteristics of salmon rivers in the UK, and in the life-cycle strategies adopted by the salmon within them. Spawning and nursery requirements are well-represented in all the selected sites, and the river systems selected include the main tributaries where significant redds occur.

It should be noted that salmon is an Annex II species only in freshwaters throughout the EU, and therefore marine and estuarine sites are excluded from selection.

While the SAC series makes a contribution to securing favourable conservation status for this Annex II species, wider measures are also necessary to support its conservation in the UK. The UK has extensive legislation intended to protect the species.

The river Camel is one of only a few rivers which regularly meets it’s conservation target, however his must be viewed in the context of the river having a stocking programme, which acts to support the numbers recorded.

There is no fish counter on the Camel to give accurate data on numbers so angling returns are an important factor in assessing the numbers of returning fish. The Salmon and SeaTrout populations of the Camel have not been genetically typed so proper information on their movements at sea is not available. As a result we can not accurately assess factors which may impact the marine survival of salmon from the River Camel.

Despite this lack of information there are six net licences issued, which entitle the holders to catch and kill an unlimited number of salmon from the river.

River Camel SAC Info.