Resolution voted by the General Assembly of the F.E.A.P.

(2004 - Oud Poelgeest) 

          DECLINE OF THE EUROPEAN EEL (ANGUILLA ANGUILLA) IN EUROPEAN WATERS

The Freshwater Fish Commission in FEAP has discussed, in several meetings, the serious decline of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in European waters, affecting both the eel fishery and aquaculture.

The Freshwater Fish Commission in FEAP is deeply concerned about the continued decline of the European eel stocks throughout  Europe. In line with other parties, we fear that the natural eel stocks are under serious threat of extinction.

The issue has been discussed on a number of occasions by interested parties. Following a period of consultation, the European Commission issued an Action Plan in October 2003. However, the political will to take clear and decisive actions has been most disappointing so far.

In view of the importance of the eel fishery to the European aquaculture sector, ACFA strongly urges that the relevant and responsible authorities take immediate actions to remedy this situation. 

The following specific actions are recommended:

1.  To introduce appropriate controls for the maintenance of a sustainable eel fishery within the European Union;

• To control the fisheries of glass eels for direct consumption.
• To regulate the fisheries of migrating mature eels.

2.  To reduce the mortality of migrating eels:

•  by improving the water courses and by reducing the obstructions for both the upstream migration of elvers and the downstream migration of mature eels
• by reducing the effect of predators

3.  To introduce and develop funding for, restocking programmes of glass eels and high quality elvers in European waters.

4.  To increase the funding for:

• Research aimed at identifying the reasons for the observed decline,
• Survey work for accurate assessment of eel populations and dynamics and
• Research into controlled eel reproduction

The Freshwater Fish Commission of the FEAP is ready to contribute further to these issues and to provide the appropriate contributions to debate with all relevant parties.