Save the Eel

[Mark7]

As there seems to be an eel related post on most forums now, as spring takes hold, I felt that it was time to make a plea for the welfare of the eel. There have been many informed and sensible posts made over the last few days relating to the eel and its future, but there have also been many opinions expressed that will not help the species survive.

 

It is generally accepted amongst scientists, environmental organisations and bodies such as the EA that european eel stocks are close to, or may be at, a level that is biologically unsustainable. The Eel Management Plans that are now in place across the EU are intended to address this, but it may be too little, too late. In this circumstance, we (the National Anguilla Club) feel that to take even a single eel is morally incorrect, does not aid the survival of the species, and sends the wrong sort of message. Eels are arguably one of the finest eating fish but that is not a good reason for killing a fish that is in a precarious position. Bear in mind, too, that the eel cannot be bred in captivity. The whole stock relies on successful spawning in the Sargasso. We cannot make up any shortfall. As for taking the odd eel from stillwaters making no difference, we should remember that, once they have reached sexual maturity, eels will return to the sea to spawn at any size or age, if conditions are correct, and they are given the opportunity. So that odd one taken could be, or grow into, a big female that will produce huge quantities of spawn, and it might just tip the balance. The loss of one species from the system would be disastrous, and will impact on many other species, particularly as the eel is a keystone species. A keystone species is one which is disproportionately important to the maintenance of community integrity and following whose extinction major ecological changes would ensue.

 

Buying a tub of jellied eels or a pack of eel sections for bait doesn't help either, because we feed the commercial operation, which operates on a supply and demand basis.

 

Commercial eel fishing is only one of the threats facing the eel: climate change, pollution, barriers on rivers, predation, pollutants, disease-you name it, the eel is affected by it. I implore all thinking anglers not to add to the list.

 

So the plea is: Put all eels back, and do not buy them to eat or use as bait. If you catch an eel by accident or design, always put it back, even if you cannot remove the hook. They do survive, and have a remarkable ability to shed hooks. If you are fishing for them deliberately, strike at the earliest opportunity, and use barbless hooks. For more info, see: www.nationalanguillaclub.co.uk

 

Mark Salt

 

General Secretary, National Anguilla Club

[Elton]

Hi Mark,

 

If you fancy a bit of mutual back-scratching, I could do with some recent articles on Anglers' Net about effective angling for eels, safe handling, etc. Each article would, obviously, help to educate anglers and also get linked back to your website.

 

Tight lines,

 

Elton

[wayne baker]

As there seems to be an eel related post on most forums now, as spring takes hold, I felt that it was time to make a plea for the welfare of the eel. There have been many informed and sensible posts made over the last few days relating to the eel and its future, but there have also been many opinions expressed that will not help the species survive.

 

It is generally accepted amongst scientists, environmental organisations and bodies such as the EA that european eel stocks are close to, or may be at, a level that is biologically unsustainable. The Eel Management Plans that are now in place across the EU are intended to address this, but it may be too little, too late. In this circumstance, we (the National Anguilla Club) feel that to take even a single eel is morally incorrect, does not aid the survival of the species, and sends the wrong sort of message. Eels are arguably one of the finest eating fish but that is not a good reason for killing a fish that is in a precarious position. Bear in mind, too, that the eel cannot be bred in captivity. The whole stock relies on successful spawning in the Sargasso. We cannot make up any shortfall. As for taking the odd eel from stillwaters making no difference, we should remember that, once they have reached sexual maturity, eels will return to the sea to spawn at any size or age, if conditions are correct, and they are given the opportunity. So that odd one taken could be, or grow into, a big female that will produce huge quantities of spawn, and it might just tip the balance. The loss of one species from the system would be disastrous, and will impact on many other species, particularly as the eel is a keystone species. A keystone species is one which is disproportionately important to the maintenance of community integrity and following whose extinction major ecological changes would ensue.

 

Buying a tub of jellied eels or a pack of eel sections for bait doesn't help either, because we feed the commercial operation, which operates on a supply and demand basis.

 

Commercial eel fishing is only one of the threats facing the eel: climate change, pollution, barriers on rivers, predation, pollutants, disease-you name it, the eel is affected by it. I implore all thinking anglers not to add to the list.

 

So the plea is: Put all eels back, and do not buy them to eat or use as bait. If you catch an eel by accident or design, always put it back, even if you cannot remove the hook. They do survive, and have a remarkable ability to shed hooks. If you are fishing for them deliberately, strike at the earliest opportunity, and use barbless hooks. For more info, see: www.nationalanguillaclub.co.uk

 

Mark Salt

 

General Secretary, National Anguilla Club

 

I have noticed a decline on my local rivers in the last few years. Once eels were a common occurencs when fishing maggot and worms for other species. I remember reading an article a few years ago about the decline in eels and i must be honest over the years being a pike angler i have taken the odd one for bait or been given some by fellow sea anglers.

I sure the conservation minded amungst us will take heed of what you have said. Is the decline in eels a world wide thing or is it just the ones in the UK waters?

Edited March 18, 2009 by wayne baker

[Mark7]

I have noticed a decline on my local rivers in the last few years. Once eels were a common occurencs when fishing maggot and worms for other species. I remember reading an article a few years ago about the decline in eels and i must be honest over the years being a pike angler i have taken the odd one for bait or been given some by fellow sea anglers.

I sure the conservation minded amungst us will take heed of what you have said. Is the decline in eels a world wide thing or is it just the ones in the UK waters?

 

Thanks for your positive response Wayne. The situation with Japanese, New Zealand and North American eels is similar, I believe.

 

Regards

 

 

Mark

[Mark7]

Hi Mark,

 

If you fancy a bit of mutual back-scratching, I could do with some recent articles on Anglers' Net about effective angling for eels, safe handling, etc. Each article would, obviously, help to educate anglers and also get linked back to your website.

 

Tight lines,

 

Elton

Hi Elton

 

I am sure that we can find some suitable articles for you. I'll be in touch.

 

Regards

 

 

Mark

[gozzer]

According to this snippet from last year, it seems that the eel numbers can vary depending on which river they run up.

 

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/News/eels_york...derbyshire.html

 

I said at the time that I was surprised that they chose to introduce elvers, because of the growing chub and perch population in the R Aire. They were 'bite size' for the resident fish, and I would have thought it possible to grow them on, before releasing.

 

The eel population in my local (Yorkshire) rivers, has reduced dramatically, from the 70s. You couldn't drop a bait (especially maggot or worm) in some of the tidal reaches, without an eel attacking it. In fact the match weights at Tadcaster and Ulleskelfe relied on the 'nuisance' eel, and many matches were won with double figure weights of them.

 

Despite the restocking, I wonder how much effect we can have on a fish that travels 1000s of miles to spawn, and the the same coming back.

Although I applaud any efforts to try and keep any native fish, and (like the perch in the 70s/80s), I return 100% of any I catch, I wonder if we are fighting a losing battle. We have no control over anything that happens to their spawning grounds, or the currents that bring them here.

We can only control what happens after they enter our waters. If those numbers keep reducing then

eventually the number will drop below a sustainable level.

 

John.

[wayne baker]

I think making anglers more conservation minded towards eels is al well and good, But its the comercial side of eeling that is making the worst impact on the decline.

[Steve Burke]

In any cross section of the community there's always some individuals who don't give a damn except perhaps their own needs. Unfortunately angling is no different, and such anglers are never likely to be convinced of the need to think of the wider picture.

 

However such topics as these do make a difference in educating anglers, particularly newcomers. So more power to your elbow, Mark!

 

Luckily my own lakes have no shortage of eels, and I used to target them on evening sessions. In recent years the population seems to have increased, and now they can be a pest when fishing for other species! Indeed, with animal baits it's a question of how many eels you'll catch in a night rather than will you catch. In the last couple of years it's got to the point that I daren't fish animal baits at night for fear of spooking the bream.

 

However in the last 15 years we've never had any small eels. They range from 1 1/2lbs to 5 1/2lbs with an average of around 2 to 2 1/2lbs.

 

I wonder if this is due to the general decline in the eel population, or whether it's a reflection of a high predator/prey ratio? Any ideas anyone?

[Dick Dastardly]

Ive not personaly noticed a decline in eels on any of the varied (geographicly) waters I fish.However I would be a fool to ignore the findings of various studies so must accept they are.

 

Weve had various reasons given from parasites to global warming.I personally believe that the massive increase in commercial fishing for both adult and elvers is the major cause.English eel wholesalers now no longer supply just the UK but their main custom is Europe where (no doubt due to their own over fishing) there is a big shortage.The prices now making the export of eels the far better financial option.I suggest this as some one who used to be a licensed eel netter.

 

I stopped fishing for them commercially for a variety of reasons but none were down to any decline in the numbers that my catchs showed.

 

Im all for protecting any pressured species/enviroment.

 

I take Lutras point that as anglers we need to be "whiter than white" if we wish to fight against the commercial fishermen but I do have this rather nagging worry that the actual eel specialists themselves come over a bit holier than thou!

 

Might not like it Mark etc but I wouldnt mind betting the average eel angler inadvertantly kills more eels each year by simply fishing for them than the average pike/zander angler takes for bait or even the angler who takes the odd fish for the pot! Same as us pikers with pike! Now Im not suggesting you stop fishing for them as I myself havnt for them or pike but Im just pointing out the hipocrisey of having a go at other anglers where really we should all be united and trying to address the real issues? After all the eel bait user and the eel eater have just as much to gain from saving the eel as indeed does the "sport" fisherman.

 

Im afraid that the years fishing for both species has shown me that not as many of the fish we return survive as we would like to think/kid our selves.Please note Im not knocking the great work both eel and pike clubs have done to promote better fish handling and techniques (which certainly help limit the problem) just saying that its still there as part and parcel of our sport.So no pot calling kettle eh?

 

Does the NAC have an ongoing policy on the subject of pettitioning government etc on this issue? Any studies/reports on such that we could see?

[wayne baker]

I know eels when they reach a certain point in life they get a urge to run to sea and spawn. If those fish are already living in a river system then its easier for them to make their way to the sea. Theres a lot of stillwaters that have large eel populations of a good size that are land locked.

Some of these waters there is no acounting how they got there, With no river systems nearby for them even to travel overland on wet nights. I can only asume its down to human intevention.

I know of one gravel pit in Essex that has the potential to do a very big eel. I have had them accidently to over seven pounds, And have seen one a lot bigger than that. Yet again this particular pit has access to the sea but they never seem to leave. Or so it seems