Eel Research 1978-1979

Abstract

The good prices paid to fishermen for eels have led to an increased interest in eel capture in Ireland. In that regard the results of stock assessments examined in conjunction with records obtained from other European eel fisheries, have indicated that the present national catch could be increased by at least 100% and perhaps by several times as much. Such an improvement could be effected by the overland transport of elvers from collection points near the coast. An operation of this kind in already in progress on the Shannon river system undertaken by the Electricity Supply Board who own the entire fishery. Sampling of eels within that system have indicated that substantial increases in the numbers of growing eels in the lakes and in the numbers of male silver eels captured, have taken place. Since it takes between ten and twenty years from the beginning of a stocking programme for any results to be apparent it is essential to devise a system for making an accurate assessment of the developments. This is the principal aim of the routine sampling of yellow eels which forms the greater part of current research work.