Salmon stocks on the River Wye are just a tenth of what they should be

Research undertaken in America claims the levels of toxins in farm reared salmon are significantly higher than those caught in streams and rivers.

The researchers advised people to eat no more than two ounces of the fish every month but salmon producers in Scotland claim the findings are "deliberately misleading".

Although there is no salmon farms in Wales, the Environment Agency believes wild salmon stocks in the country could now be under threat.

The agency is warning that wild salmon stocks are dangerously low in Wales - on the River Wye they are just 10% of what they should be.

Losing wild salmon stocks would mean huge losses for tourism.

Poached

"Demand for wild salmon could increase, but we do not have the rivers in Wales to sustain that," said Mike Evans of the agency.

"We are asking people to aware that there is not enough salmon in our rivers at the moment."

"Only about 0.3% of all salmon consumed is from our rivers these days."

He urged people not to accept salmon from dubious sources - especially if it was wild.

"It may have been poached which could have absolutely devastating effects on our rivers."

People with suspicions about where fish have come through are asked to contact the agency.