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Concern has been expressed about the fate of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) with a report that they have declined in Europe by around 95% in the last 25 years (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/01/eel-fishing-europe-environment). These fish have an interesting but complex life-style that must make them vulnerable, hatching in the Sargasso sea (near Bermuda) before being moved via the Gulf stream as larvae and then, on reaching Europe changing into 'glass eels' that move up the rivers. These then transform into elvers that eventually become mature eels who travel back to the Ocean, to spawn and die in the Sargasso. 'Glass eels' are used as an expensive food item in Spain, the Dutch love smoked adult eels and Jellied eels are eaten in exotic parts of the UK. Although everyone accepts that these fish have declined, the standard conflict between fish conservationists and people making a living from this 'natural resource' is developing. A shortage of eels will also influence the viability of some fish-eating birds and otters.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Wriggling to Extinction?
Concern has been expressed about the fate of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) with a report that they have declined in Europe by around 95% in the last 25 years (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/01/eel-fishing-europe-environment). These fish have an interesting but complex life-style that must make them vulnerable, hatching in the Sargasso sea (near Bermuda) before being moved via the Gulf stream as larvae and then, on reaching Europe changing into 'glass eels' that move up the rivers. These then transform into elvers that eventually become mature eels who travel back to the Ocean, to spawn and die in the Sargasso. 'Glass eels' are used as an expensive food item in Spain, the Dutch love smoked adult eels and Jellied eels are eaten in exotic parts of the UK. Although everyone accepts that these fish have declined, the standard conflict between fish conservationists and people making a living from this 'natural resource' is developing. A shortage of eels will also influence the viability of some fish-eating birds and otters.
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3 comments:
We were delighted to see a small eel (or elver?) in with the Aberglasney newts about 2 weeks ago.
It would be an elver if it is clearly pigmented. A full grown eel is quite a substantial beast (some were revealed when they drained a pond infested with Parrot's feather at the National Wetlands Centre Wales). Nice that you found one but the eels problem is that they have to thrive over such a long migration distance
It was certainly very small and thin (but long and curly) compared to an eel we saw on Skye about a year ago. It didn't hang around long enough for us to note pigmentation. [The newts in the vicinity had speckles].
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