ENVIRONMENT chiefs have agreed to extend the salmon fishing season on the River Ure.

The Environment Agency will start the process of changing the season when salmon can be caught in the river so it starts in February rather April.

The move has been welcomed as a significant boost to the tourism industry in Wensleydale during a traditionally-quiet time of the year for visitors.

It follows a call by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak who wrote to agency chairman Sir James Bevan, saying the increasing numbers of salmon returning to the river was an environmental success story the agency and its partner landowners and conservationists should be proud of.

He urged the agency to extend the season to take advantage of the recovering salmon population, to attract more fishing enthusiasts and the economic benefit they would bring to the area.

Sir James has also agreed to the MP’s request to upgrade the Ure’s status to that of a recovering salmon river – an important step towards "Principal Salmon" status which attracts future conservation and protection measures.

An Environment Agency spokesman said a consultation would be launched shortly on changes to the by-law governing the season with a view to the change taking effect in 2019.

Mr Sunak said: “This is fantastic news for the Yorkshire fishing community, many of whom disappear to Scotland during February and March, and the pubs, restaurants and hotels who will benefit from looking after them in Wensleydale.”

He also paid tribute to the work of the Ure Salmon Group and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust for their work in highlighting the issue and improving the river environment.

The Environment Agency’s move was welcomed by Philip Ellis, a fishing guide and member of the Ure Salmon Group.

He said: “The decision is vindication for the work that everyone has put in to restore the health of the river and the Ure season will now fall into line with other salmon rivers in Cumbria and Northumberland.”

Mr Ellis said the season extension would not harm the recovering stocks because any salmon caught before June 16 had to be returned to the river.