Public hearing: The implementation of the Eel Regulation 1100/2007
28-06-2023 - 11:29
On Tuesday, 27 June 2023, the Committee on Fisheries held a public hearing entitled "The implementation of the Eel Regulation 1100/2007". The hearing would provide evidence and guidance for better implementation of the Eel Regulation. European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a migratory species with a unique life cycle. Between their spawning phase and pre-reproductive stage, European eel migrate from the Northwest Atlantic to the coasts of their distribution range and continental waters.
European eels are declining globally due to a combination of natural causes and human activity. The Eel Regulation (2007) establishes measures for the recovery of the European eel stock and obliges Member States with river basins in their national territory that constitute habitats for the eels, to establish and implement Eel Management Plans (EMPs).An EMP may contain measures, such as reducing commercial fishing activity, restricting recreational fishing, restocking measures, structural measures to make river passable and improve river habitats, transportation of silver eel from inland waters, combatting predators, measures related to hydro-electric power turbines, aquaculture and any other measure necessary for the achievement of escapement target. This means that management measures should reduce mortality from human activity to ensure the escapement to the sea of at least 40% of adult eels relative to the escapement levels that would have existed in the absence of human influences.