Skip to main content

Status of the European Eel Stock and Fisheries

  • Chapter
Eel Biology

Abstract

The European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), is the archetypical eel species, and was the monotypic species for the genus (genus described based on a single species). Much of the scientific knowledge about eels has been acquired first for the European eel, starting with Aristotle executing the earliest scientific experiment on fish. Aristotle describes that an isolated pool was scraped out, to find new eels, after the rain had replenished the pool. In his view, this proved spontaneous generation of eels from the mud. The reproductive biology of eels has later been resolved, first for the European eel (Schmidt 1922) and in many aspects of research on eels, the views initiated by Johannes Schmidt have grown to almost mythical proportions. Clearly, the European eel is in a prominent position in the eel world.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anwand K, Valentin M (1981) Aalbesatzmassnahmen als Voraussetzung für eine Intensive Aalwirtschaft. Z Binnenfisch 28:237–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubrun L (1986) Inventaire de l’exploitation de l’anguille sur le littoral de la Bretagne. Les Publication du D épartement d’Halieutique No 1. Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Rennes, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubrun L (1987) Inventaire de l’exploitation de l’anguille sur le littoral Sud-Gascogne. Les Publication du D épartement d’Halieutique No 5. Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Rennes, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Barak N-E, Mason CF (1992) Population density, growth and diet of eels, Anguilla anguil.) L., in two rivers in eastern England. AquacultFish Manag 23:59–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Castonguay M, Hodson PV, Moriarty C, Drinkwater KF, Jessop BM (1994a) Why is recruitment of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, declining in the St. Lawrence River and Gulf? Can J Fish Aquat Sci 51:479–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castonguay M, Hodson PV, Moriarty C, Drinkwater KF, Jessop BM, (1994b) Is there a role of ocean environment in American and European eel decline? Fish Oceanogr 3(3):197–203 Ciccotti E, Busilacchi S, Cataudella S (2000) Eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.., in Italy: recruitment, fisheries and aquaculture. Dana 12:7–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark WG (1991) Groundfish exploitation rates based on life history parameters. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 48:734–750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (1996) A length structured matrix population model, used as fish stock assessment tool. In: Cowx IG (ed) Stock assessment in inland fisheries. Fishing News Books, Oxford, pp 245–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (1998) Long-term trends in the glass eels immigrating at Den Oever, The Netherlands. Bull P êche Piscic 349:199–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (2000a) The fractal geometry of the European eel stock. ICES J Mar Sci 57:938–947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (2000b) A Procrustean assessment of the European eel stock. ICES J Mar Sci 57:109–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (2000c) Impact of yellow eel exploitation on spawner production in Lake IJsselmeer, the Netherlands. Dana 12:17–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (ed) (2002a) Monitoring of glass eel recruitment. Report C007/02-WD, Netherlands Institute of Fisheries Research, IJmuiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Dekker W (ed) (2002a) Monitoring of glass eel recruitment. Report C007/02-WD, Netherlands Institute of Fisheries Research, IJmuiden

    Google Scholar 

  • de Leo GA, Gatto M (1995) A size and age-structured model of the European eel (Anguilla anguil. (L.). Can J Fish Aquat Sci 52(7):1351–1367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desaunay Y, Guerault D (1997) Seasonal and long-term changes in biometrics of eel larvae: a possible relationship between recruitment variation and North Atlantic ecosystem productivity. J Fish Biol 51(suppl A):317–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egusa S (1979) Notes on the culture of the European eel (Anguila anguil. (L.) in Japanese eelfarming ponds. Rapp P-V R éun Cons Int Explor Mer 174:51–58

    Google Scholar 

  • EIFAC (1993) Report of the 8th session of the Working Party on eel. Olsztyn, Poland, 1993. EIFAC occasional paper 27, FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1995) Administrative report of the technical consultation on the precautionary approach to capture fisheries (including species introductions). Lysekil, Sweden, 1995. FAO fisheries reports 527. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO(2000) FAO Yearbook Fishery Statistics. Capture Production. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome, p 713

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabriel O (1999) Fangmethoden. In: Tesch FW (ed) Der Aal. Parey Buch Verlag, Berlin, pp 241–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Gascuel D (1986) Flow-carried and active swimming migration of the glass eel (Anguilla anguill.) in the tidal area of a small estuary on the French Atlantic coast. Helgol Meeresunters 40(3):321–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higginbotham JA (1997) Piscinae, artificial fish ponds in Roman Italy. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill

    Google Scholar 

  • ICES (1988) European Eel Assessment Working Group Report, September 1987. ICES C.M. 1988/Assess:7. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, C. Penhagen, Denmark ICES (2000) Report of the EIFAC/ICES Working Group on Eels. ICES CM 2000/ACFM:6. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark ICES (2001) Report of the ICES Advisory Committee on Fisheries Management, 2001. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark. ICES Cooperative Research Report 246(3):819–828

    Google Scholar 

  • ICES (2002) Report of the ICES/EIFAC Working Group on Eels. ICES C.M. 2002/ACFM:03. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamstra A (1999) Haltung, Fütterung and Aufzucht. In: Tesch FW (ed) Der Aal. Parey Buch Verlag, Berlin, pp 289–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein Breteler JGP, Dekker W, Lammens EHRR (1990) Growth and production of yellow eels and glass eels in ponds. Int Rev Gesamten Hydrobiol 75(2):189–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knights B (1996) Risk assessment and management of contamination of eels (Anguil.) spp.) by persistent xenobiotic organochlorine compounds. Chem Ecol 13(3):171–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knights B, White E, Naismith IA (1996) Stock assessment of European eel, Anguilla anguil.) L. In: Cowx IG (ed) Stock assessment in inland fisheries. Fishing News Books, Oxford, pp 431–447

    Google Scholar 

  • K#x00F8;ie M (1991) Swimbladder nematodes (Anguillico.) spp.) and gill monogeneans (Pseudodactylogyr.) spp.) parasitic on the European eel (Anguilla anguill.). J Cons Int Explor Mer 47(3):391–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Lara MJ (1994) Catch statistics, capture methods, size, and development stages of glass eels in Asturias (northwestern Spain). Biul Morsk Inst Ryback Gdynia 131:31–39 McCleave JD, Wippelhauser GS (1987) Behavioral aspects of selective tidal stream transport in juvenile American eels. Am Fish Soc Symp Ser 1:138–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchel NC (1965) The lower Bann fisheries. Ulster folklife, vol 11. Ulster Folk Museum, Northern Ireland, pp 1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty C (1990) European catches of elver of 1928–1988. Int Rev Gesamten Hydrobiol 74(6):701–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty C (ed) (1997) The European eel fishery in 1993 and 1994. First report of a working group funded by the European Union Concerted Action AIR A94–1939. Fish Bull (Dublin) 14:1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty C, Dekker W (eds) (1997) Management of the European eel. Fish Bull (Dublin) 15:1–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty C, Bninska M, Leopold M (1990) Eel, Anguilla anguil. L., stock and yield in Polish lakes. Aquacult Fish Manag 21(3):347–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Navaz y Sanz JM (1964) Historia de una angula que se convirtio en anguila. Sociedad de Oceanografia de Guipuzcoa, San Sebastian

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigaud C, Fontenelle G, Gascuel D, Legault A (1988) Le Franchissement des Ouvrages Hydrauliques par les Anguilles (Anguilla anguill.). Publications du Departement d’Halieutique, Ecole nationale superieure agronomique de Rennes. Rennes no. 9, Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Rennes, France

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt J (1922) The breeding places of the eel. Philos Trans R Soc 211:179–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparre P (1979) Some necessary adjustments for using the common methods in eel assessment. Rapp P-V R éun Cons Int Explor Mer 174:41–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Sv ärdson G (1949) Eels (Anguilla anguill. found in partial nuptial dress. Rep Inst Freshw Res Drottningholm 29:129–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesch FW (ed) (1999) Der Aal. Parey Buch Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (1983) The law of the sea. Official text of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea with annexes and tables. United Nations, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • V øllestad LA (1992) Geographic variation in age and length at metamorphosis of maturing European eel: environmental effects and phenotypic plasticity. J Anim Ecol 61:41–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V øllestad LA, Jonsson B (1988) A 13-year study of the population dynamics and growth of the European eel Anguilla anguil.) in a Norwegian river: evidence for density-dependent mortality, and development of a model for predicting yield. J Anim Ecol 57(3):983–997

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber M (1986) Fishing method and seasonal occurrence of glass eels (Anguilla anguil.) L.) in the Rio Minho, west coast of the Iberian peninsula. Vie Milieu 366(4):243–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Westin L (1990) Orientation mechanisms in migrating European silver eel (Anguilla anguill.): temperature and olfaction. Mar Biol 106(2):175–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer-Verlag Tokyo

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dekker, W. (2003). Status of the European Eel Stock and Fisheries. In: Aida, K., Tsukamoto, K., Yamauchi, K. (eds) Eel Biology. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65907-5_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65907-5_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-65909-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-65907-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics