The Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel support one of the most diverse fish assemblages in the UK, with over 110 fish species. There are a wide range of migratory and estuarine species, as well as some more typically marine and freshwater species reflecting the influence of the wider Bristol Channel and major rivers entering the Estuary like the Usk, Wye and Bristol Avon.
The Severn Estuary is a key British estuary for three rare species, which are designated ‘Annex II’ features under the Severn Estuary SAC:
River Lamprey (Lampetra Fluviatilis)
Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus)
Twaite Shad (Alosa Fallax)
These species, together with Salmon (Salmo Salar), Sea Trout (Salmo Trutta), Eel (Anguilla Anguilla) and Allis Shad (Alosa Alosa), are also designated features of the Ramsar Site.
The wider assemblage of fish species, which includes the migratory species, estuarine specialists and the marine and freshwater species, is a designated feature of the Ramsar Site and a component of the estuary feature of the SAC.
Click on the links below to learn more about the protected fish species of the Severn Estuary.
