A leaflet from the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), Environment Agency (EA) and Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association (WSTAA) shows how anglers can do their bit to conserve the sea trout.

The leaflet, entitled ‘Sea Trout; Protection and Preservation,’ explains what a sea trout actually is, the particular problems the species faces, why it requires protection, and the practical things anglers can do to help ensure the future health and abundance of sea trout populations. This includes directions on how to release a rod and line caught sea trout safely back into the water, and which are the most important sizes of fish to return.

Explains Paul Knight, S&TA’s Chief Executive, “Sea trout are the most important migratory species in many English and Welsh rivers, yet they are increasingly coming under pressure. There are various scientific projects currently underway to help us understand more about the sea trout’s life cycle, but this leaflet shows that anglers, often referred to as the water environment’s eyes and ears on the riverbank, also have a vital role to play in sea trout conservation. Sea trout do not respect national boundaries, and we are delighted to partner our colleagues in WSTAA, together with the Environment Agency, for this important information initiative.”

Heidi Stone, The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Policy Manager, adds: “The Environment Agency is very concerned at the current status of sea trout stocks in England and Wales. As well as highlighting current concerns about stocks, the leaflet provides information on how individual anglers can get involved in rebuilding sea trout stocks and the valuable fisheries they support.”

Moc Morgan, WSTAA’s Chairman, concludes, “The sewin (Welsh for sea trout) is the national fish of Wales, and hugely important to our rivers, anglers and rural economy. Healthy sewin populations mean healthy rivers, and WSTAA is determined that our members do everything possible to protect these fantastic and enigmatic fish, and the habitats on which they depend.”

The leaflet is designed to be both a hard copy document for distribution at Game Fairs and other events, and as a web document available on the participating organisations’ sites.

The leaflet is available on all three organisations’ web sites at the links below.