West Sutherland Elever Project
The West Sutherland Fisheries Trust has now finished the ‘West Sutherland Elver Survey’ Ref: CPHB12. This project was one of 24 being undertaken in Highlands with assistance from the Highland Biodiversity Partnership (http://www.highlandbiodiversity.com/). It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and RSPB Scotland. The project aimed to increase knowledge of the current distribution and abundance of elvers (young eels) in Sutherland as a baseline from which better management can be proposed. Additional data will be collected on all life stages of eels where possible.
Very little is known about Scottish eel populations and in order for impending European management to be based on fact, rather than a proposed precautionary ban on eel fishing, Fisheries Research Services and biodiversity groups require any information the public can supply. The eel population in West Sutherland (along with the Outer Hebrides and Wester Ross) is considered to be important due to its prominent exposure to the Gulf Stream currents carrying elvers. Moreover, Scottish and other Northern European eels stocks contain a large number of age groups which may act as a gene bank and buffer to poor recruitment years and heavy overfishing in Europe.
This project has contributed data from Sutherland to inform Fisheries Research Services who are tasked with the creation of a National Management Plan for Scotland. Data was collected through coarse-angler questionnaires, sales and capture records together with anecdotal evidence engaging volunteers from general public, sporting/coarse fishing and commercial fishers in the process. The project also aimed to increase the public awareness of eel natural history and fisheries through press releases in local papers.
If you feel you have information on eels in Sutherland that would be helpful, particularly observations on variations of elver/eel numbers over the years, please phone or email us so that we can continue to add to our knowledge of the eel populations in Sutherland. A copy of the final report is available on the website.
Interesting eel links:
BBC news:
Baby eels ready to go with flow: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/6494655.stm
Eel-cam on duty as elvers migrate
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/6989176.stm
Migratory habits of eels studied
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7126428.stm
Illegal eel fishing nets seized
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6973229.stm
Illegal fishing traps discovered
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6931879.stm
Presence of Perflorinated Chemicals in Eels from 11 European Countries
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/perflorinated-chemicals-eels
Swimming in dangerous waters: UK eels show highest levels of fire retardant
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/swimming-in-dangerous-waters
River Severn management plan
http://www.diadfish.org/maj2006_fichiers/maj_11_06_slime/severn.pdf
Fisheries Research Services – eels
http://www.frs-scotland.gov.uk/FRS.Web/Delivery/display_standalone.aspx?contentid=791
Environment Agency National Eel management strategy
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/286019/312590/?lang=_e
European eel project Ingicang
http://www.ifremer.fr/indicang/version_anglaise/introduction.htm
Westcountry Rivers Trust
(http://www.wrt.org.uk/projects/indicang.htm)
EU eel legislation: COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 ‘Establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel’
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_248/l_24820070922en00170023.pdf