Brussels, 24/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Despite the implementation of eel management plans (EMPs), “the state of the stock of European eel remains critical and a precautionary approach should be adopted until there is certain evidence of a sustained increase in recruitment and the adult stock”, states the European Commission in a report published on Tuesday 21 October on the implementation of the 2007 eel regulation.
The regulation puts in place recovery measures for the European eel stock. While scientific opinion may point out that there is an increase in the annual recruitment of glass eels from less than 1% to 1. 5% in the North Sea and from 5% to 10% elsewhere over the last two years, “this increase should be put in historical perspective and does not affect escapement of adult eel in the short term because of the duration of the eel life cycle”. There is, therefore, no change in the perception of the status of stock as being critical at this stage.
The Commission believes that greater attention must be paid to non-fishing anthropogenic mortality factors, such as include hydropower and pumping stations, habitat loss or degradation, pollution, diseases and parasites.
The Commission lacks sufficient data to assess compliance with the escapement rate to the sea of at least 40% of adult eels.
The eel regulation requires member states which permit fishing for glass eels to reserve at least 60% of the catches for conservation-oriented restocking within the EU. Scientific opinion reveals fears over current eel-restocking practices and underlines that it cannot yet be demonstrated whether restocking actually contributes to increasing silver eel escapement. “It is therefore necessary to put in place means to evaluate its effects and contribution to silver eel escapement, as well as consider if the provisions on restocking in the eel regulation are still adequate in light of problems with their implementation”, the Commission says.
The Commission intends to request an external scientific review of the methodologies used by member states, and, where relevant, an update or a new estimate of stock indicators regarding eel. The objective is to assess the impact of the eel regulation and consider if additional measures are needed. On the basis of this advice and where appropriate, the Commission will consider ways and means to assess the effectiveness of the eel regulation, including a possible review. (LC)