To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the size of the salmon population in the river Dee in the last (a) two, (b) five, (c) 10 and (d) 15 years. (312618)

The following table shows the estimates of the numbers of adult salmon returning to the river Dee at Chester each year since 1992 when an intensive long-term monitoring programme for migratory salmonids began on the river.

These estimates are published in spring each year (alongside those of other salmon rivers in England and Wales) in a joint report produced by the Environment Agency and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Environment Agency and CEFAS (2009) Annual assessment of salmon stocks and fisheries in England and Wales 2008: A preliminary assessment prepared for ICES, March 2009.

Estimates for 2009 are due to be available by March 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the size of the salmon population in the river Dee. (312706)

The Environment Agency has not received any specific representations on the level of the salmon population in the river Dee. The Agency has regular contact with fisheries groups on the river Dee in which salmon populations and angling are discussed.