A Centuries-Old Practice Facing Extinction
Coracle fishing on the River Tywi, a tradition dating back 300 years in Carmarthenshire, is nearing its final days. Professional fishers report that pollution has decimated fish populations, leaving the river barren. Andrew Davies, a veteran fisherman with 38 years of experience, described the 2026 season as a total loss. He managed to catch only one fish during the three-month period between May and July. Just a few years ago, a single night on the water would yield a dozen catches. Today, the few remaining practitioners struggle to find any sign of life in the riverbed.
This decline marks a shift from a historical livelihood to a fragile heritage practice. Fishermen like Keith Elias, who represents the fifth generation of his family to use coracles, feel the weight of this disappearance. The boats, small and rounded, once relied on the abundance of salmon and sewin. Now, the fishermen witness dead fish floating on the surface instead of their usual harvest. This reality has stripped the activity of its purpose, leaving locals to question if they will bother applying for licenses in the coming years.
The Sources of Pollution
Investigations by the campaign group Save the River Tywi point to multiple sources of contamination. Their testing identified agricultural runoff, human waste, and industrial discharge as primary drivers of the river's poor health. Citizen scientists have documented yellow discharge and foul odors near known discharge points. The nearby electronics recycling company Mekatek has faced scrutiny, though the firm maintains it operates within its license and denies any role in the decline of the sewin population.
Welsh Water is also under pressure to address its impact on the local ecosystem. The company faces criticism for sewage spills and has committed to an investment of £889 million toward storm overflows from 2025 to 2030. Six of these projects target the Tywi specifically. Still, the company asserts that the problem exceeds their infrastructure alone. They point to the need for cooperation across all sectors, including farming and regional industry, to see measurable improvements in water quality.
Official Responses and Regulatory Challenges
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reports that it has ongoing enforcement and compliance investigations within the catchment area. Huwel Manley, head of south-west operations for NRW, stated that the river faces pressure from both pollution and environmental factors like higher water temperatures. The agency confirms some investigations have reached the stage of potential court proceedings. Despite this, locals feel the regulatory response lacks the urgency required to save the waterway.
Carmarthen Mayor Russell Sparks has witnessed the situation worsen firsthand. The annual Tywi River Festival, a cornerstone of the local calendar, was canceled this past July due to the state of the water. Sparks, acting as Admiral of the Port, noted the emotional toll on the community. Carmarthenshire MP Ann Davies has called for stricter enforcement against persistent polluters, emphasizing that individuals, farmers, and businesses must all be held accountable for the state of the river. As investigations continue, the survival of the coracle remains in doubt.