Plan of Action
PHASE 1 - Catchment Audit
In progress right now is a 'catchment audit' process spanning the Test, Itchen and Meon catchments - a total area of 1,850km2.
The catchment audit's aim is to define the factors and locations impacting wild chalk stream salmon, and to identify the solutions required to save them. The process aims to gather all existing ecological and hydrological information for these watersheds, collating it into a state-of-the-art GIS (Geographic Information System) 3D mapping platform, combined with salmon population data modelling to generate predicted outcomes. This will enable the development of a strategic Restoration Plan.
Simultaneously, Project White Hart has been carrying out a range of community and stakeholder engagement events through 2025 and 2026 to build a broad, diverse support base and to expand awareness of the chalk stream salmon crisis in the wider public.
PHASE 2 - Restoration Plan
From the catchment audit's findings a Restoration Plan will be developed. This will identify the actions necessary to put chalk stream salmon on the path to recovery - from the very headwaters of our rivers and extending out to the marine environment.
Critical to its development will be ongoing collaborative engagement with landowners, farmers, industry, regulators, policymakers and communities. This approach will ensure that the Restoration Plan is widely understood, brings all stakeholders on board, and creates a shared sense of responsibility for the future of our rivers and their wild salmon.
PHASE 3 - 2027 and beyond
The completed Restoration Plan will identify action points across all three river catchments - individual problems which can be addressed at specific locations, or systemically, and all connected within an overarching strategy. These individual restoration projects will require support - funding, design and delivery.
The overall aim of this suite of work will be to provide the core ingredients wild salmon require - cold, clean, free flowing water. This means improving water quality and flow management, removing barriers to migration, reconnecting fragmented habitats, and protecting juvenile salmon and spawning adults in sanctuary zones.
Ongoing work will continue to engage communities and schools to ensure that future generations are invested in wild salmon recovery.
This is achievable. But only if we act.
If we act now, salmon will return. If we don’t, they disappear.