'Inconsistent' figures for river's salmon defended

Agency officers calculate the fish numbers in the upper reaches of the river from the amount caught in a fish trap at the Tees barrage.

But Darlington angler Don Taylor has claimed the figures are inconsistent and unrealistic and has launched a campaign to prove his belief that something is wrong in the river.

Data from the fish trap showed that 163 salmon passed through it last year, a figure used as a base to estimate the total number of salmon in the river that year.

However, Stephen Axford, an area fisheries officer for the agency, said: "We do not really know any exact figures for the number of salmon in the river.

"We make assumptions based on trap figures and rod catches: 1,630 is probably a bit on the low side, we just don't know overall."

Richard Jenkins, the Dales area officer for the environment agency, put the total number of salmon in the Tees in 2001 at between 2,000 and 5,000.

But Andrew Wood, the agency's regional director, estimated the figure to be 1,630.

Now Mr Taylor has challenged both sets of figures and criticised the Environment Agency for not making formal inquiries into his claims that there are far fewer fish in the water.

He said: "The Environment Agency is happy to trot out the usual data and information without making further inquiries. They clearly cannot agree among themselves and I am really dismayed."

Members from a number of angling clubs and associations have backed Mr Taylor's claim that salmon fishing in the area is at an all-time low.

Fred Hartley, treasurer of Darlington Anglers club, said: "There has definitely been a reduction in the fish, and it is a mystery where they have gone."

The Environment Agency maintained that the overall picture of improving numbers is correct.

Mr Axford said he did not believe the situation merited an investigation.

He said: "We know there are fish in the waters and all the trends show there is no problem."