Pacific salmon at large in the UK

Anglers on the Tyne and Wear, which flow through Northumberland and County Durham, have landed at least five pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) this season, while several more have been caught in the nets of trawlermen off the coast.

The species is native to the northern Pacific Ocean, so its appearance in the North Sea and UK rivers has caused some concerns, with angling and conservation organisations particularly ill at ease with the thought of the species colonising UK rivers and competing with the native Salmo salar.

According to The Telegraph, one theory for the mysterious appearance of the fish is that they come from the Barents Sea, where the Russians had a breeding programme for the species 40 years ago.

Anglers have been asked to report any sightings of the fish to the Environment Agency.