ANGLERS are helping officials find out how many salmon spawn in the once-polluted River Tyne.
The Environment Agency has launched a tagging programme to learn more about stocks of the migratory fish.
Radio transmitters have also been fitted to 20 salmon so their progress up the river can be tracked.
Fisheries scientist Jonathan Shelley said: "It is hoped that anyone catching a salmon with a red or orange tag will return it to the river, allowing the fish to complete its migration.
"Anyone catching a fish with one of these tags should note the tag number, date and place of capture, and report it to the agency's Newcastle office on 0191-203 4154."
Once the Tyne was considered a dead river because of heavy industrial pollution, but now salmon are thriving.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article