Ahead of Wild Salmon Day on June 1st 2025, a global celebration rooted in local hearts and driven by global action and set-up by the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the First Nations Fisheries Council of BC, Atlantic Salmon Federation and Atlantic Salmon Trust, we’re shedding light on Fish Legal’s latest battle.
At Orvis UK, we believe wild fish and wild places are worth fighting for, which is why we proudly support Fish Legal. They work to defend rivers, migratory fish and the public’s right to know what's really happening in our environment.
Their latest case? Taking on the nuclear giant EDF. EDF is behind the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station on England’s southwest coast, which is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. But as the build goes forward, concerns have mounted about its impact on marine life, especially the migratory fish species that navigate coastal waters to reach the rivers where they spawn. Among them are iconic fish like wild Atlantic salmon and shad.
Fish Legal requested detailed environmental data from EDF on how Hinkley Point C might affect these species. But EDF refused, claiming they’re not subject to the same transparency rules that apply to public bodies - even though they’re producing energy for the UK under a government contract.
In response, Fish Legal took the matter to court. They argued that if private corporations can block access to vital environmental information, the public’s ability to protect rivers and wildlife is fundamentally undermined.
The High Court agreed.
In a landmark ruling, the court determined that EDF is indeed subject to environmental information regulations. This means Fish Legal - and all of us - have the right to scrutinise the environmental impact of projects like Hinkley Point C.
Every spring and autumn, fish like salmon, sea trout, and shad make incredible journeys from ocean to river and back again. These migrations are perilous under the best conditions, but when access to clean, unobstructed rivers is lost, so is the future of these species.
Whether it's a dam, a weir, a polluted tributary, or discharge from a power plant, migratory fish including wild Atlantic salmon are uniquely vulnerable to changes in river connectivity and water quality. By fighting for transparency, Fish Legal isn't just standing up to the nuclear industry, they're standing up for the fish that depend on free-flowing rivers and the public’s right to defend them.
At Orvis UK, we know that anglers are often the first to notice when rivers are in trouble. That’s why we’re committed to supporting groups like Fish Legal, who back up passion with legal muscle.
Support Fish Legal and the protection of wild waters by purchasing an Activist Anglers cap - 100% of proceeds go directly to the work of Fish Legal. Activist Anglers was founded by actor and conservationist Jim Murray to champion and inspire the role of anglers in protecting our waterways. Wear yours with pride and purpose here.