Scotland's first Eel Management Plan has been submitted as part of the UK wide plan to the European Commission in compliance with new measures for the recovery of the European eel stock established at EU level in September 2007 through Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007.
The European Regulation requires European Member States to have an Eel Management Plan for their river basin districts designed to reduce eel mortality as a result of human impacts. All European eels belong to a single population, with those living in Scottish freshwaters having arrived here from their oceanic spawning ground in the Sargasso sea.
Scotland has one river basin district as defined under the Water Framework Directive.
Scotland's Eel Management Plan will help Scotland achieve the objective of the council regulation to protect and ensure the sustainable exploitation of the European eel. Fisheries Research Services, as the Scottish Government's scientific advisors in this area and Scottish Government salmon and freshwater fisheries policy team developed an Eel Management Plan for Scotland which was submitted to the European Commission at the end December 2008.
As part of the management arrangements, new management measures to limit (where appropriate) the exploitation of eel stocks in Scotland have been introduced. Scottish Government, after public consultation, introduced a freshwater fish conservation regulation to prohibit fishing by any method for eels without a licence from Scottish Ministers.
Q&A
Q. What if I accidently catch an eel whilst fishing?
A. Anglers will not be prosecuted under the Scottish conservation regulation if they catch an eel inadvertently while fishing for other species.
Q. What should I do with an eel if I do catch one?
A. If you accidently catch an eel you should try to release it without removing it from the water, or, failing that to return it to the water as soon as possible. It is important to release the eel immediately to reduce the chance of entanglement with the line.
Q. How should I handle an eel?
A. Eels are difficult to handle but are very robust and can normally be held firmly without damage. Use a wet glove, or wet landing net (or similar) to improve grip. Avoid using any dry material to improve grip as this will strip mucus from the eel and expose it to subsequent infection. If the hook can be readily removed from the eel this should be done at once. However, eels frequently swallow hooks and in these cases there is no option but to cut the line, as short as possible, before release.