The Minister of Environment of Andalusia, Jose Diaz Trillo, approved new measures to protect the eel. (Photo: Junta de Andalucía/Greenpeace/FIS)

European eel fishing suspended for 10 years

SPAIN
Wednesday, November 03, 2010, 22:40 (GMT + 9)

The Governing Council of the Andalusian Government have adopted a 10 year moratorium on fishing for the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in order to help preserve the species, as it is in danger of extinction.

The authorities adopted a decree on measures to recover this species off the coast of Andalusia, as catches fell by 98 per cent over the past 30 years, said the Minister for the Environment, José Juan Díaz Trillo.

The moratorium also prepared other environmental aims to eliminate the exercise of unregulated fishing in the breeding and fattening area of Bajo Guadalquivir.

In that area, around 80 unregulated artisanal vessels - in terms of gear (nets) and catch quotas - were active, reports the EFE news agency.

The use of such a network causes a large amount of damage to the area and for every kilogram of eel caught, a further 66 kg of fingerlings of other species are also caught, said the official.

The Andalusian authorities hope to ensure a minimum escape to the sea of 40 per cent for adult eels, so that they can complete their life cycle: entry into the rivers as elvers from the Sargasso Sea, and out to sea for later reproduction.

In the past three decades, the European eel suffered a striking and rapid reduction of its volume in local waters.

According to figures provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the resource is outside safe biological limits.

For eels that inhabit inland waters, the main threats include excessive fishing pressure and having to cross numerous obstacles in rivers.

Parallel to the entry into force of the new rule, the Junta de Andalucía will open a line of support of EUR 1.7 million for aquaculture development linked to the eel, forwarded by Díaz Trillo.

Over the next three years, the Ministry of Environment will be responsible for protecting the eel in inland river waters, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will take care of internal sea waters, reports the Europa Press.

Related article:

- Investment of over EUR 950,000 to recover the European eel

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print