Reducing obstacles to eel migration, introducing fish ladders and fish-friendly water pumps to reach the spawning grounds will help to recover the stock of the European eel.
In a resolution adopted on Tuesday (487 votes to 19 and 89 abstentions) on EU measures to encourage the recovery of European eel stocks, MEPs stress that more needs to be done. They list some of the factors negatively impacting stocks, such as obsolete dams and other barriers to migration.
The use of fish ladders and fish-friendly water pumps should be considered more widely to allow eels to pass hydro-power stations and reach safely the areas where they can reproduce, say MEPs, who also ask EU countries to tackle other factors like pollution, parasites and predators. If structural solutions are not implemented in the short term for the silver eel escapement, EU countries should continue with “trap and transfer” and assisted migration projects as a temporary solution.
Because illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to be a significant problem, MEPs call for better coordination of customs, police, fisheries control and scientific bodies, as well as for more checks and monitoring of the Eel Regulation. Reiterating the need for more transparency and traceability for catches of glass eels, MEPs also mention the importance of certification schemes to ensure the legality of catches, and call for properly dissuasive sanctions and the harmonisation of fines between EU countries.
Considering eel stock management is too complex for a one-size-fits-all approach, MEPs note that a feedback mechanism should be created to allow for communication on policy updates. Parliament also suggests the creation of an eel-specific expert group, with representatives from EU countries, the fishing sector, recreational fishers, water managers, hydro-power companies, and civil society to advise the Commission on the implementation of the Eel Regulation.
“The adoption of our report paves the way for eel numbers to recover. This special fish will benefit from fewer obstacles to its enormous migrations to inland waters. Introducing fish ladders and fish-friendly water pumps will help more eels reach spawning grounds,” said rapporteur Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, NL).
“We expect this new approach to have more effect than further limiting eel fisheries, which was the approach so far. Fishers play an essential role in the management of the eel population. Today’s vote will help us to enjoy this beautiful and healthy fish much longer.”
Adopted in 2007, the Eel Regulation aims to achieve eel stock replenishment to 40% compared to pristine conditions, as well as reducing eel mortality. In 2018, European eel stock levels were very level and the animal was considered “critically endangered”.
Eel fishing has reduced significantly in the past decade but the 40% target has yet to be achieved, due to habitat losses and other environmental factors. Therefore, MEPs consider restocking a necessary measure until the problem of migration barriers is solved.
