A new strategy through to 2021 to help protect the iconic salmon and sea trout from the complex environmental challenges they face was launched yesterday by the new Environment Agency Chairman Lord Chris Smith.

The Environment Agency is encouraging anglers to go online and help inform them about the main issues affecting salmon on the River Tees.

Fish&Fly Comment: Clearly the existing fish pass is a major concern and should be improved as a matter of urgency or at the very least the salmon and sea trout should be protected from predation by seals while they wait to take it. Here is our chance to voice our concerns so please do fill in the form.

We all know what has happened to the once famed sea trout of Scotland’s west coast – victims of sea lice infestations (a National disgrace) – but this year the runs on Scotland’s (fish farm free) east coast also seem to have collapsed. The Aberdeenshire Dee normally has a very fine run of sporting 2 to 3lb sea trout in June and July. This year however the FishDee website has posted a catch of less than half of its five year average.

Scotland's precious native freshwater fish life is to receive greater protection from alien species. A new offence of introducing live fish or live spawn of fish to inland waters without the proper permission has been created and will come into force on August 1, 2008.

The Salmon and Trout Association (S&TA) has formally notified Dumfries and Galloway Council that the exercising of its coastal salmon netting rights to the east of the mouth of the River Annan, following the end of the current lease in 2009, would amount to a breach of EU law – unless it can prove conclusively that these nets do not catch salmon destined for the River Eden. The latter, which flows into the inner Solway Firth, is designated as a Special Area of Conservation for salmon and thus is afforded the highest levels of protection under EU law.

A partnership project by the Environment Agency and the Frome, Piddle and West Dorset Fisheries Association to help salmon migrate up the River Frome is back on track.

Fish & Fly ask-has Canada gone mad? Why any nation would allow non-native species of salmon to be farmed near to one of the world's most celebrated international resources of pacific salmon, the Fraser River, beggars belief. The Fish farming industry has a long history of farmed fish escapes – we all know it is going to happen so why were Marine Harvest allowed to farm non-native Atlantic salmon near the mouth of the Fraser river?!