Salmon are one of the UK’s most iconic species — and one of the most closely watched. But how do we actually know whether their numbers are rising, falling, or holding steady?
In this engaging talk, Claire Risley formerly from the Environment Agency explains the intricate world of salmon stock assessment: how fish populations are monitored, what counts as a “healthy” stock, and why the resulting statistics often spark debate among scientists, anglers, policymakers, and environmental groups.
Claire will uncover the practical challenges of gathering reliable data in our rivers, the scientific methods used to interpret it, and what the latest trends tell us about the future of salmon in the UK.
A must-hear for anyone interested in wildlife conservation, river ecology, or how evidence informs environmental decisions.
Dr Claire Risley is an ecologist and statistical scientist most recently working for the Environment Agency. With a background in disease ecology, spatial modelling and environmental statistics, she has worked in academia and government analysing complex biological data to inform conservation and policy decisions. She previously lectured in epidemiology and ecology at Aberystwyth University and has conducted research on wildlife disease, biodiversity modelling and climate impacts on species.