However, eel catches have dropped by half, from 40,000 tons over the last 30 years to under 20,000 tons today, but the causes of the decline is unknown.
Now, the EELIAD project (European Eels in the Atlantic: Assessment of their Decline) has been established as a scientific research programme to try to solve some of the mysteries surrounding the biology of the European eel, especially during its marine phases.
The research aims to to improve understanding of the species' biology and environment to help preserve and regenerate the stock of European eels.
The information obtained will help preserve stocks.
The knowledge created by the EELIAD research programme in addition to the resulting scientific publications will be directly used to develop eel stock management and form a rehabilitation plan.
The EELIAD programme will finish in 2012 but at the annual meeting of the programme in Biarritz on 13,14 and 15 April the first results from this study were revealed.
Investigating Decline Of European Eel
EU - Fishing for the European eel - Anguilla anguilla - generates around 200 million per year and employs more than 25,000 people in 15 European countries.
