Earlier this year the EU sought advice and recommendations from stakeholders regarding eel management after ICES provided advice on the European eel stock in November 2021 recommending catches be halted.
In response to this, LIFE has together with member organisations participated in developing a joint position through the Baltic Sea Advisory Council as well as publishing our own position which details measures on improving the state of the eel stock while also keeping the fishery open.
We focus on what we consider to be the most effective measures: improved implementation of the eel regulation and prioritising restrictions where eel mortality is highest. Further, we applaud the measures taken to combat the illegal trade and fishing of eel which has already led to hundreds of millions of glass eels not having been poached since 2016 and encourage further efforts.
Fishing for adult eels at sea is estimated to represent 3% of the total mortality and LIFE contends that there are more benefits than risks to be gained by keeping this part of the eel fishery open.
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