Atlantic Salmon Return To Seine River W/O Specific Restocking Efforts - BBC

Wild salmon are returning to the French capital for the first time in almost a century, scientists say. Historically, Salmo salar - or Atlantic salmon - used to migrate up the Seine river for part of the year to spawn.

But increased pollution of the water and the building of dams after World War I saw their number dwindle. By 1995, the salmon were gone, and only four species of fish braved the Seine's dirty waters, which washed up hundreds of tonnes of dead fish a year.

But a major clean-up project in the past 15 years - including the building of a water purification plant - has turned the tide for the river's marine life.

Now the Atlantic salmon - listed as an endangered species throughout Europe - is back, as attested by anglers who have netted sizeable specimens from the river in recent months. And the salmon are not alone. Hundreds of sea trout, shad and lamprey eel have been spotted glinting in the Parisian sunlight this year, with the number of fish species in the river ballooning to 32, officials say.

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8196801.stm

:applause:

Further proof that if we just let up a little, Nature will do what she does.

Problem is, we almost never let up.

the pollution problem. nt

I watched the Tour de France in hi-def this year. The French countryside is very beautiful, and appears to be tended with a great deal of care