The European eel

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) catch in the Baltic has been decreasing ever since 1955, the first year for which data is available. Shrinking catches indicate that the stock has decreased, but there are still no reliable estimates of the total stock size, and some catches pass unreported. Eel stocks have indeed decreased throughout the species' distribution in the western Europe.

The amounts of eel have been declining in the most areas of the distribution area, also evidenced by the substantial declines of landings in several countries of the Baltic Sea (FAO and ICES 2007). There are indications that the Baltic eel stock has been seriously depleted to a level where recovery is difficult. The stock is currently outside safe biological limits with low recruitment indicating no obvious sign of recovery. Therefore, the current levels of anthropogenic mortality are not sustainable and should be reduced to as close to zero as possible (FAO and ICES 2007). EU Council adopted 18 September 2007 Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the European eel.

Last updated 3 December 2008