Background - EU Regulation
Eel stocks are in crisis and the number of juveniles is at an all-time low. Because the stock of European eel is shared by all Member States, co-ordinated action is required by all to assist in the recovery and recovery is anticipated to be slow (i.e. to be accomplished only over generations). For this reason the EU Commission introduced a Regulation which requires all Member States to prepare Eel Management Plans for the recovery of stocks by 31 December 2008. Once approved by the Commission, these plans must be implemented from 1 July 2009. Note: If the draft plan is not approved by the EU Commission then the terms of the Regulation specify either a 50% reduction in fishing will apply from 1 July 2009 until such time as a final plan (which could even entail closure of the fishery) has been approved.
The Regulation explicitly requires the assessment of the current status and the recovery of the stock. Compliance with the Regulation will involve a commitment by the Irish authorities to gathering data on current silver eel escapement to spawn and on surveys and data gathering for post-evaluation of implemented management actions. The Regulation requires Ireland to report to the EU in 2012 and every three years thereafter.
Draft plan for public consultation
The draft national plan (
pdf 1.28Mb) has been prepared, albeit with limited data, by a working group established from among the State agencies responsible for management of the eel fishery. This is now being published for the information of stakeholders who are provided with an opportunity to input into the plans by 15 September 2008 next. Work will continue on improving the level of data and the detail of the plans over the course of the consultation period.
The Eel Management Plans are required to look at all mortality caused by human activities with a view to devising appropriate strategies to assist in recovering stocks to a sustainable level. Recovery of the stocks is also necessary for the eel as a species to maintain biodiversity and good ecological quality as required under the Water Framework and Habitats Directives.
The Irish fishery
The Irish fishery harvests approximately 100-120 tonnes per annum. There are some 150 - 200 fishermen involved operating a maximum of 295 licences. The value of the reported catch is in the region of €0.5m - €0.75m per annum. Indications are that recruitment across Europe is very poor this year with 50-90% reduction on the 2007 level, which was already critically low. Indications for recruitment for Ireland in 2008 are also very poor to date. Strong action may be necessary for Ireland to achieve the targets set in the Regulation and for overall recovery of the stock. Other Member States are considering similar actions of fishery restrictions and/or closures.
Conservation in 2008
In anticipation of the necessary constraints on the fishery required by the Regulation, the Minister, Eamon Ryan T.D., introduced Conservation Bye-laws to apply in 2008 which capped the number of licences and restricted the fishing season.
Consultation exercise
The National Eel Management plan includes six Eel River Basin District Management Plans which address the status of the stocks in each catchment area and the proposals for recovery. The format of the plan is determined by the guidance provided by the EU Commission. It is a complex document which describes eel management, the fishery, the legislation and the approach to obtaining and estimating data.
The eel has a complex biology that makes stock assessment difficult and this means that the plan will become more intricate and detailed as the methods are developed and more data included. It is essential that we comply with the guidance provided by the Commission which will ultimately adjudicate on the acceptability of the final strategy. Our scientists are working closely with their counterparts in Europe ensuring that we adopt a consistent approach.
More information
A detailed guidance document and the draft national plan ( pdf 1.28Mb) are published here on the Department’s website along with individual River Basin District Management plans (they are also published on the Fisheries Boards’ web sites). These will also be available in hard copy and publicised in the press.
Given the complexity of the draft plan, it is proposed that the Regional Fisheries Boards will host a number of information meetings for fishermen to explain the implications of the Regulation and the obligations in preparing the national eel management plan, as part of the consultation exercise. Further information will be published by the Fisheries Boards as arrangements are made.
The industry has been and will be kept informed of developments through the Regional Fisheries Boards and presentations from the Marine Institute to the Boards.
Consultation documents
Eel Consultation Guidance Document 
(WORD 405 Kb)
National Management Plan Draft.pdf (pdf 1.28 Mb)
National Management Plan Draft Appendices.pdf (pdf 619.81 Kb)
EEMU Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 104.03 Kb)
SERBD Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 167.26 Kb)
SWRBD Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 119.74 Kb)
SHIRBD Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 870 Kb)
WRBD Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 677.65 Kb)
NWIRBD Draft Management Plan.pdf (pdf 333.57 Kb)
Making a submission
Any person may submit observations on the draft Eel Management Plan electronically or in writing to:-
Inland Fisheries Division,
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,
29 – 31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2
Email: EMPconsultation@dcenr.gov.ie
Telephone No: + 00353 1 678 2054/ Lo-call 1890 449900 Extension 2054
If you are considering making a submission please bear the following in mind:-
Ø the Department may publish responses received
Ø responses may be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.
Ø when responding, respondents should state whether they are responding as individuals or representing the views of an organisation. If responding on behalf of the latter, it should be clear which organisation is being represented.
Closing Date
Comments should be submitted by close of business on Monday 15 September 2008.
Inland Fisheries Division
31 July 2008