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The long life cycle, along with natural and anthropogenic influences make this species vulnerable to extinction. A pandemic population - the eel does not home on specific rivers but can arrive by currents anywhere in Europe. It is believed that the population has declined by approximately 99% since the 1980's - an alarming statistic. Eels are a popular food in Europe and Asia.

• Eels represent about 50% of the standing biomass in most aquatic environments.
• Eels are an important nutrient flux to and from the sea.
• Eels are a keystone species, helping to create a balance as predator, prey and scavanger.
• They are an important prey of many UKBAP list species - including otter, heron, bittern and osprey.
• Due to their slow growth, the eel population within the Highlands may be acting as a reservoir for eels throughout Europe.

The decline

Evidence suggests that the initial decline was the result of stock decline rather than reduced recruitment.

 Causes of stock decline

• Loss of habitat - including pollution and over abstraction
• Barriers to migration - structural and also water quality and quantity
• Over fishing

Causes of recruitment decline

• Over-exploitation
• Climate change - changes to oceanographic conditions
• Habitat degradation
• Pollution
• Parasitism

Reports detailing the results from eel projects are available under 'Publications'

Glass eel  (C. Daphne)

Yellow eel  (C. Daphne)

Monster of the loch  (S. Marshall)

Videos:

Elver migrations

Eel feeding