Ref. Ares(2018)4687567 - 12/09/2018
Ref. Ares(2019)2387732 - 04/04/2019
Eel recovery measures
according to EC-Council
Regulation No. 1100/2007
Belgium
Danemark
France
Glass eel monitoring at the river
Focus on recruitment, abundance Various monitoring tools have been
'Yser' (since 1964).
and escapement
developed:
Yellow eel monitoring in selected
- index rivers allowing to estimate the eel
inland waters.
recruitment, stock and escapment (9 rivers
Glass eel monitoring and silver eel
and 1 Mediterranean "lagune")
monitoring at the polder water
- electric fishing allowing to describe the
'Grote Beverdijkvaart' (since 2015).
fishes,
Monitoring
- eel Density Analysis model.
There are no more commercial
Focus on both commercial and
Various measures such as:
fisheries on eel in Belgium. In 2013 recreational fisheries. Risk based - temporary closure of fishing (up to 7
the minimum size for eel went up control; closed seasons,
monthes for glass eel),
from 250mm up to 300 mm in
restriction on type and number of - compulsory fishing authorizations,
Flanders (only rods are allowed, no gears allowed, eel passes,
- quota for glass eel (60% of it is reserved
other gear).
increased minimum legal size for for restocking purposes),
In Wallonia there is a release
yellow eel. Reduction of more
- geographical closure (ex: fishing is
obligation for eel for recreational than 50 % in commercial and
forbiden outside of the EMU),
anglers since 2006 and a capture
recreational effort.
- recreational glass and silver eel fishing
prohibition since 2017.
are forbiden,
- recreational yellow eel fishing is forbiden
Fisheries
by night (authorized during the day time
only).
In Flanders the total number of fish Yes
The management of migrating pathes for
passes which were installed on the
eel through the rivers is in progress.
waterways identified as important
20% of the structures are compliant.
for eel in our EMP was 71 in 2008.
Around 40% of the structures are either
This number increased tot 132 in
being assessed (analysis of the best project
by the end of 2011 (+61); from
scenario) or being appraised by the
2012 till the end of2014 the
administration or under work in progress.
number of fish passes increased to
Many barriers to migrations remain to
142 (+10); from 2015 till the end of
manage since there are 18 007 structures
2017 the number of fish passed
on rivers listed on "list 2".
increased from 142 to 198 (+ 56).
Migration barrieres / Eel
The fish passes in Flanders are
habitats
designed as general fish passes for
different (cyprinid) species and are
considered as passable for eel. In
Wallonia, the total number of
obstacles considered as
"important", "major" or
"impassable" for fish (in general) is
about 3000. This makes a total
number of fish passes installed in
Wallonia between 2007 and 2017
of 145.
Restocking is en important
Restocking according to the
60% of the French glass eel quota is
measure in the Belgian EMP, both Danish Eel Management Plan.
reserved for restocking purposes in France
in Flanders and Wallonia
Programme to monitor the effect or in other EU Member States. In France,
by stocking tagged eels in
21 756 kg of glass eel have been used in
selected areas. Shorttime
France for restocking since 2011-2012 (74
experiments in ponds to evaluate restocking operations in 6 EMU).
fitness of stocked eel compared
Restocking
to wild eel.
No measures
National Management plan for
The cormorant, predator of eel, is a
Great Comorants - implemented protected species (Birds Directive
2009/147/CE of novembre 30th 2009).
France supported the implementation, at
the EU level, of regulation measures for
cormorant. Catfish (Silurus glanis) is
Predation
another predator of eel but there is no
scientific study proving a major role of
catfish in the diminution of the eel
population. The results of a recent
scientific study of France Agrimer are
expected on the subject.
yes, for ICES (working group on
Yes
Yes (DCF, CGPM, reinforced follow up of
eel) and the European Commission
data concerning glass eel fishing)
(report for the Eel regulation)
Data collection
Measures for the improvement of Measures for obtaining good
The "SDAGE" ("schémas directeurs
habitat and water quality which
ecological environmental status - d'aménagement et de gestion des eaux" -
will also benefit for eel.
migration barries, eel habitats
water management and development road
maps) are planification road maps at the
EMU level, which corresponds to
management plans. They draw guidelines
that permit to achieve expected goals in
Implementation of the Water
terms of "good water status". They are
Framework Directive
declined in programs of measures, which
are the operationnal measures that must
be achieved so as to achieve the SDAGE's
goals. The 3rd generation of SDAGE,
approved in 2015, are in force for the 2016-
2021 period of time.
No influence
Practically none
France changed the fishing period of time
for some marine water fishermen so as to
make it compliant with compulsory EU
regulation.
Influence of measures decided
in 2017 on fishermen and
recreational anglers
In Wallonia there is a release
200.000-300.000
3760 recreational anglers (with nets)
obligation for eel for recreational anglers/estimated recreational
authorized in 2014 to fish eel in freshwater
anglers since 2006 and a capture
catches (in 2017): 117.000 kg.
(1415 kg in 2017) + 1,3 millions potentially
prohibition since 2017. In Flanders
allowed to fish eel (700 tons estimated in
Number of recreational
the yearly harvest of eel by
2015)
anglers catching eels /level of recreational anglers is estimated at
their catches
29523 kg. Total number of
estimated anglers that fish for and
harvest eel is 6891 (estimation in
2017).
There are diverse conditions and needs in the
EU which require different specific solutions.
That diversity should be taken into account in the
planning and execution of measures to ensure protection
and sustainable use of the population of European eel.
Germany
Netherlands
Sweden
Case studies in selected rivers (glass eel
West Coast: Monitoring of recruits (glass eel), yellow eel in
immigration, silver eel escapement).
monitoring programs including data collection on
individual samples (sex ratio, size, age and parasite load,
etc.)
East Coast: Monitoring of elvers (young yellow eels),
Retained catches (landings) from commercial
tag/recapture surveys on silver eel
fishers.* Market sampling. * Scientific surveys in
Inland Waters: no dedicated monitoring of natural
regionally and nationally managed water bodies.
recruitment to inland waters, but elver trapping for
Glass eel en silver eel monitoring *monitoring
transporting across barriers (assisted migration) provides
contaminants
information on quantities entering the rivers where traps
is placed.
Different measures in the different States
The establishment of fishery‐free zones in areas
West Coast: All fishing for eel is prohibited since 2012.
(Bundesländer). Main measures are: stocking,
that are important for eel migration *Release of
General comment: Special permit for commercial fishing
closed seasons (but usually in winter), increased eel caught (a) at sea and (b) at inland waters by
for eel is restricted by specific tems regarding fishing area,
minimum size limits (to 45 and 50 cm, depending anglers * Ban on recreational fishery in coastal
number of gears, maximium harvest, etc..
on region). Outside EMP 50% reduction of
areas using professional gear *Closure eel fishery
fishery. In some regions effort reductions.
in contaminated (PCBs, dioxins) areas *Annual
East Coast: Closed seasong, only commercial fishing with
(Measures for commercial and recreational
closed season from 1 September to 1 December
special permits (147 fishermen in total) is allowed
fishery.)
(three months) in inland and marine waters *Stop between 1 of May until 15th September or restricted to a
of the issuing of licences for eel snigglers by the
continuous period of 90 days, minimium landing size 70
minister of Economic Affairs in state owned waters cm, recreational fishing is prohibited since 2007
*stop on use of eel-gears in IJsselmeer in certain
months
Inland Waters: Commercial fishing with special permits is
restricted to a continuous period of 120 days, minimum
landing size 70 cm, recreational fishing is only allowed in
some exempted areas upstream three or more definitive
migration barriers. Selling the catch from recreational
fisheries is prohibited.
General comment: Special permit for commercial fishing
for eel is restricted by special term regarding fishing area,
number of gears, total harvest, etc.
Yes, but mainly in the course of the
Reduction of eel mortality at pumping stations and Yes, but mainly in the course of the implementation of the
implementation of the WFD (see below).
other water works; of the 1800 most important
WFD (see below).
migration barriers. * Reduction of eel mortality at
hydro‐electric
stations with at least 35%
Restocking is central to the German EMP's,
Restocking of glass eel and pre‐grown eel from
Waters having a high potential of eel production is
except for one river system. In some cases
aquaculture
prioritised within the restocking programme of glass eels,
accompanying scientific studies (e. g. comparing
thus, inland waters having secured routes to the sea and a
the efficiency of stocking glass eel vs. ongrown
limited or negligible fishing pressure are chosen.
eel; efficiency of stocking glass eel in coastal
Restockings of eel within the context of this Swedish Eel
waters etc.).
Management Plan is combined with powerful reductions
in the eel fishery and should be fully recognised as an
acute conservatory measure to save the particular fish
species i.e. provide a strict response in an increasing
number of potential spawners
Only by using the derogation system under the
No measures have been taken related to
Yes, but not directly related to eel protection or
article 9 of the Birds Directive. Not directly
predation.
management.
related to eel protection or management.
assisted migration of silver eel (Paling over de dijk)
Research into the artificial propagation of eel
Yes (DCF, fisheries statistics, data collection
Yes (DCF, fisheries statistics, data collection
Yes (including DCF/EUMAP, fisheries statistics, data
especially for implementation reports on EMP)
especially for implementation reports on EMP)
collection especially for implementation reports on EMP)
Measures for habitat improvement, but not
improve passability of water barriers for migratory Measures for habitat improvement, but not necessarily
necessarily related to eel management.
fish
related to eel management.
practically none
None, a 3 month closed period (sept-nov) was
Commercial and recreational fishing of eel is prohibited on
already implemented since 2009.
the Swedish West Coast
1.000.000 anglers having the possibility to catch 2015: 1.2 million anglers and a retained catch of
None, see point 9
eel in principle/altogether 200.000 kg
70.000kg in 2014. Detailed information:
http://dx.doi.org/10.18174/409681
United Kingdom
Network of yellow eel
monitoring sites across
England and Wales, using
modelling to predict silver eel
escapement, supplemented
by various other survey
techniques (sonar, elver
traps). Direct monitoring of
silver eel production from
racks in Northern Ireland
(Lough Neagh fishery)
Measures vary across
countries, and depending on
economic status of fishery
locally. Scotland: complete
ban on fishing for eel
(recreational or commercial).
England & Wales: capped
yellow eel fishery with
geographic, seasonal and
method restrictions. Glass eel
fishery dip-net only, and only
in historic local fisheries on
West coast. Recreational
fishing catch and release only.
Northern Ireland: specified
methods only with limited
licences.
Yes, in England and Wales all
new in-river structures must
provide eel passage through
legislative requirement.
Existing structures required to
install passage, implemented
through phased, prioritised
programme, with £70million
private investment planned
2015-21 in England through
water companies alone.
Only takes place in Neagh
Bann RBD, where integral to
the maintenance of
yellow/silver eel fishery on
Lough Neagh. Studies and
modelling show that optimal
stocking produces net benefit
of silver eel escapement after
fishery exploitation.
Only by using the derogation
system under the article 9 of
the Birds Directive. Not
directly related to eel
protection or management.
Specific impacts of predation
on eel poorly understood.
Yes (DCF, fisheries statistics,
data collection especially for
implementation reports on
EMP)
Measures for habitat
improvement implemented,
but not necessarily
specifically related to eel
management
Negligible impact, due to
almost no eel fisheries in
marine waters in UK. Existing
close season for yellow &
silver eel fishing in place 10
December - 31st March,
meaning the 2017 TAC
measures only extended this
by 4 weeks.
All recreational (rod and line)
catch of eel is prohibited in
UK. Approx 1million
freshwater anglers, and
800,000 recreational sea
anglers in England & Wales
have possibility to catch eel
for sport, but very few target
eel specifically, and catch and
release is accepted normal
practice.