Salmon Run

An unique event on the River Exe and Barle on Saturday 20 September will combine running, art, science, restoration and community to highlight the journey of the endangered Atlantic salmon from sea to spawning ground. Salmon Run – now in its fourth year – is organised by Tidelines and supported by Westcountry Rivers Trust, Wild Running, Friends of the River Exe and Exmoor National Park.

The event is centred round a community relay run along the river ending in Dulverton. Teams of runners of all levels will carry a salmon icon from Exmouth at the mouth of the Exe to Exmoor, passing through many towns and villages on their way to the spawning grounds. In addition Ultra runners follow the same route by running the entire 43 mile stretch. Salmon Run: The Gathering, at Sideshore in Exmouth, will offer talks, creative workshops, a river-shaped bouncy castle, games and information with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Outreach (BSO) and Thelma Hulbert gallery. In Dulverton, as the runners arrive, Exmouth National Park and Friends of the River Exe will host a range of activities and a closing ceremony on Exmoor Lawns by the river in Dulverton. BSO Outreach, composer Emma Welton will work with local people of ages (musicians and those new to music) to create a welcome home fanfare for the returning runners.

The runners will be empathising with the salmon’s journey as they travel upriver to spawn. In the past, thousands of salmon returned from the Atlantic to the Exe to spawn. Now numbers of returning fish are in the hundreds or fewer, and the species is facing extinction in the Exe and across Britain. The Atlantic Salmon is a vital part of the ecology and culture of our river and many others.  Threats include climate change, pollution, lack of food and overfishing at sea, and the many weirs blocking their journey along the river. Salmon Run is working with Westcountry Rivers Trust to restore habitat  by planting trees in the upper reaches of the Exe with volunteers. Salmon Run involves more people in caring for the river – and each year a new podcast enables people to learn more about this remarkable species. Please do come along, run, make some music or support the salmon and the runners!