Pollution kills 300-year-old Welsh fishing tradition

What does a fishing tradition, polluted water, and a famous American president have in common? A small Welsh river holds the answer.

A group of fishermen in Carmarthenshire use a special, round boat called a coracle. This boat is very old. Fishermen have used coracles on this river for 300 years. The boat is small and light. A fisherman can carry it on his back! This makes coracles perfect for the shallow river.

But today, something sad is happening. The river is dirty. The water has too much pollution. One fisherman said, "I caught only one fish all season." Before, fishermen could catch many fish. Now they catch almost nothing.

Why did this tradition last so long? The coracle was perfect for this river. It is easy to move. It does not hurt the water. Fishermen used coracles when cars and phones did not exist. For 300 years, nothing changed much. The river stayed clean. The fish stayed there.

Interestingly, even US President Jimmy Carter once fished on this same river. This shows how special the place is.

Now the pollution is a big problem. Factory waste goes into the river. Farm chemicals go into the river too. The fish are sick or gone. Young people do not want to learn the coracle skill. Soon, maybe no one will fish this way anymore.

This is not just about fish. It is about keeping old skills alive. It is about respecting nature. When we hurt the river, we hurt the people who depend on it.

What would you do if pollution killed your family's 300-year-old job? Can this river be saved?

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.