The Atlantic salmon in the River Itchen is rapidly disappearing.

Leading environmental organisations have united to address this issue, forming the Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan (ISDP).

This initiative, launched on Earth Day, aims to reverse the decline of this species and safeguard one of England’s most significant chalk streams.

The River Itchen is one of only six English chalk streams that support the Atlantic salmon.

These fish are crucial to the ecosystem, but their numbers are dwindling due to over-abstraction, habitat degradation, pollution, in-stream barriers, climate change and marine environment pressures.

Only 133 salmon returned to River Itchen in 2022, far below conservation targets (Image: Supplied) In 2022, only 133 adult salmon were estimated to have returned to spawn in the River Itchen.

This is the lowest record since monitoring began in 1990, representing only 20 per cent of the Conservation Limit.

In December 2023, the Atlantic salmon was officially classified as endangered in the UK on the IUCN Red List.

Provisional 2024 data indicates a slight increase to 187 adult returns, but experts highlight a consistently low abundance over the past decade.

Dave Rumble, CEO of Wessex Rivers Trust, said: "The alarming decline of Atlantic salmon in the River Itchen has been a growing concern for Wessex Rivers Trust and our supporters for many years."

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Earth Day sees launch of Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan to save endangered species (Image: Supplied) The ISDP unites key conservation groups, fisheries organisations, and government agencies, including Wessex Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Test and Itchen Association, WildFish, Wild Trout Trust, Southern Water, Itchen Navigation Preservation Society and Friends of the Itchen Estuary.

A spokesperson for the ISDP partnership said: "Chalk stream salmon have swum in the waters of the River Itchen for thousands of years.

"Today, these rare fish are at a critical crossroads.

"Without urgent action to improve river conditions, we risk losing the salmon in the Itchen forever."

The ISDP has outlined practical solutions, such as restoring habitat, enhancing fish passage, improving water quality, managing water resources, strengthening fisheries enforcement and community engagement.

The public is encouraged to assist by reducing water use, reporting any signs of pollution or illegal fishing to the Environment Agency and promoting the protection of the rare chalk stream salmon.