Tesco Swap a Salmon

Catch and Release

Returning a salmon

WSRT member Jim Foster returning a 14 pound hen fish at Somerley

During 1993 the then fledgling Wessex Salmon Association, now Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust, examined various options to meet their aspiration; the restoration and conservation of the depleted salmon stocks of the lowland rivers with particular focus upon the most seriously affected river, the Hampshire Avon.

An obvious high priority was to reduce exploitation by nets and rods of the few salmon making it back to their natal river. The choices were few. Limit or ban fishing, both undesirable and outside our remit, or persuade anglers to return their fish alive.

Deciding on the latter route we considered an incentive would increase the take up and what better than to offer a salmon to match a fish voluntarily returned.

After drawing up a detailed protocol we approached the largest fishmonger in the country, Tesco Stores, seeking their sponsorship for the scheme. Tesco were enthusiastic and agreed to offer a farmed salmon for each qualifying fish.

1994 saw the launch of the scheme with just 9 fish qualifying.

"Swap a Salmon", sponsored by Tesco, continues today (see figures attached). Since it’s introduction Tesco have generously allowed rivers from the Test and Itchen in the East right across the South and West of England to Cornwall to take part resulting in millions of extra eggs from the surviving fish aiding the recovery of these rivers.

TESCO 1994 - 2004

Tesco Swap a Salmon Scheme

Year No: of Salmon Weight / Lbs
1994 9 86 (average)
1995 12 114 (average)
1996 30 253
1997 18 200
1998 40 396
1999 16 163
2000 26 222
2001 23 206
2002 42419
2003 27234
2004 42328
Totals 2852621

Assuming 50% male / female @ c.500 eggs per pound hen weight = c. 655,000 additional egg deposition.