Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Paris Anglers Again Catch Salmon in Seine

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2009 11:23 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – "A world of slime without human form": that was how Victor Hugo once described the Seine, the murky, polluted river that divides Paris in two. Yet recent efforts to clean up the river, from skimming the surface to pumping it with oxygen, have led to a resurgent fish population swimming through the French capital. You can even catch a salmon in the middle of town if you're lucky, though the Times of London says eating it might not be the best idea.

Anglers standing opposite Notre Dame cathedral cast for bream, trout, and even catfish—none of which are consumed—but a giant 15.5-pound salmon, caught downstream last year, was an especially promising sign. Researchers say that the pink fish indicates a healthy environment. Still, the picturesque Seine is full of pesticides, lead, and bacteria, certainly unfit for humans. Riverside bathers are warned not to go in the river, and those who do are taken to the hospital before they're hauled off by police.

Fishing on the Seine has become more popular in recent years as the stock of fish has increased.
Fishing on the Seine has become more popular in recent years as the stock of fish has increased.   (©benoit.darcy)
A man fishes on the banks of the Seine.
A man fishes on the banks of the Seine.   (©acme)
Just don't expect your fish in a Paris restaurant to come from the river.
Just don't expect your fish in a Paris restaurant to come from the river.   (©lauren.tsung)
Salmon pulled out of the Seine might be more likely to glow green rather than this color, but anglers are pulling the fish from the river anyway.
Salmon pulled out of the Seine might be more likely to glow green rather than this color, but anglers are pulling the fish from the river anyway.   (©James & Vilija)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Ultraworld
Sep 5, 2010 3:20 PM CDT
It's a start.
Timinator2K
Aug 12, 2009 4:45 AM CDT
Catch Salmon in Seine is inSane. The French waste-water treatment scheme uses the Seine, no doubt.
Yourself
Aug 12, 2009 4:26 AM CDT
interesting progress. hopefully in due time it will be even better!

 
pollution • France • salmon • fish • fishing • Paris

More Newser Stories

French Built Fake Paris to Fool German Bombers

Firebombed Paper's Cover Now Boasts a Kissing Muslim

Meteorite Hits Paris Home

French Fight Erupts Over Marauding Wolves

Fish Stocks Are Fine, So Dig In
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne