Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Business


Eel Conservation

Photograph of eels being farmed
Eel stocks throughout Europe have declined since 1980 and reached an historical low point in 2001.  Recent information indicates that no improvement can be expected in the short term.  Fishing mortality is high on both juvenile and older eels in many water systems.  Other anthropogenic factors (habitat loss, contamination and transfer of diseases) have had a negative impact on the stock, possibly of a magnitude comparable to exploitation.  As a result the eel stock is considered to be outside safe biological limits.

The European Commission has made proposals for Regulations to conserve the European Eel stock.  The proposed Regulations introduce emergency measures immediately the Regulations are adopted and requires Member States to implement long term Eel Management Plans on all major eel river basins.  The main measures proposed in the current draft Regulations are:

  • From 1 January 2008 the fishing season must be shortened so that fishing effort is reduced by 50% unless an acceptable management plan is submitted;
  • Glass eel (young eels) fishing is permitted provided the eels are restocked into European inland waters to grow on thus increasing silver eel numbers.
  • Eel management plans for each eel river basin must be drawn up to permit the escapement to the sea of at least 40% of the biomass of adult eels relative to the estimated escapement. The estimated escapement is based on three methods namely: habitat based assessment of potential eel production; historic data or the ecology; and hydrography of similar river systems.
  • Management Plans may contain a series of measures to meet the 40% escapement target.  This measures might include reduction in commercial effort, restocking measures, improvement of passage, combating predators and addressing problems caused by hydro electric power stations and the Plans must contain time schedules for attainment of the 40% escapement target and include monitoring and verification provisions.
  • Once Management Plans have been submitted with proof that the measures in place will deliver 40% escapement of adult eels the requirement for a 50% reduction in fishing will be removed.
  • Eel Management Plans must be submitted to the Commission by 31 December 2007 for approval and must be implemented from 1 July 2008 or earlier.

Negotiations between Member States and the European Commission have delayed the introduction of the Regulations.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and DCAL are directly involved in steering the EC towards a Regulation which will ensure achievable conservation measures are in place to deliver the survival of eel populations while also facilitating the local eel fishing industry.
Current Issues
Information
Associated Bodies
Links