Publication Abstract

Status of eel fisheries, stocks and their management in England and Wales

M. Aprahamian and A.M. Walker*

All life stages of eel are exploited in England and Wales by ~ 1,000 eel fishermen.  The main fisheries for glass eel are by dip-nets in estuaries draining into the Bristol Channel (85%) with smaller fisheries elsewhere in Wales (5%) and northwest England (10%).  The main fisheries for yellow eel are based in southern and eastern lowland England (100% for yellow and 85% for silver), with fyke nets being the preferred instrument.

Annual sales of glass eel licenses (one licence per operator) were ~ 1100 from 1980 to 1994, increasing rapidly thereafter to peak at nearly 2500 in 1998, due to substantial increases in the market value of glass eel. Fishing activities were depressed during the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak because of restrictions on access to fishing sites. As a consequence, about 800 licenses were sold in 2001. Annual sales have remained at this lower level subsequently.

The current glass eel catch (<12 cm) declared to the Agency is about 1 - 2 t, continuing the recent trend of very low catches relative to those of the 1970s and 1980s.  Comparison of these catch reports with net exports from UK HM Customs & Excise data suggests a significant level of under-reporting of catches to the Agency.  Net exports over licence sales, as a proxy for CPUE, has declined since 1979, but the increase starting after 2002 has continued through 2006 and 2007.

Nets for larger eels require a licence per cod-end, and therefore sales do not reflect the number of operators. Licence sales for yellow and silver eels (combined) varied from around 1100 to 2900 over the period 1983 - 2007, with highest sales in the mid-1980s, mid-1990s and again in 2005 to 2007.  Catches declared to the Agency for these fisheries were elevated in the late 1980s and mid-1990s (peak 280 t), but have been low during 2001 to 2007 (avg. 29 t).  Reported catches are likely underestimates of the true catch as HM Customs & Excise export data indicate a recent average of about 120 t.  CPUE was relatively consistent in the late 1980s to mid-1990s, but has declined by ~80% since 2002.

Eel landings are reported as a by-catch from various marine fisheries around the UK coasts, with total landings from 2001 to 2007 of about 31 t. The majority of eel are caught in otter trawls, fyke nets and long lines. The majority of the catch (by weight) is taken from along the south coast of England, and throughout the Irish Sea.  Catches have also been reported from off the north east of England, East Anglia and Thames, Devon and Cornwall, and in the northern parts of the Bay of Biscay.

The status of stocks and compliance with the EC 40% escapement target are currently being assessed using the Reference Condition Model, but new models being developed will be applied when available. For those River Basin Districts (management unit) identified as failing compliance with the EC target, measures are being identified and where possible quantified to ensure compliance. The main measures presently being examined are fishery controls, improving access and stocking.

Reference

M. Aprahamian and A.M. Walker* (2009) Status of eel fisheries, stocks and their management in England and Wales. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, vol 7, pp. 390-412