The Minister saw first-hand the Silver Eel operation that involves the capture of Silver Eel at strategic locations upstream in theShannon catchment and their subsequent release downstream of Parteen Weir in order to aid their passage and bypass the hydropower generating facility.
Minister ODowd assisted the fishermen, Brian and Brendan Connell, in the weighing of the Silver Eels and loading them into an oxygenated tank for transportation by the ESB to Parteen. Eels are protected under EU Directives stated Minister o Dowd, I am satisfied that Ireland is addressing its obligations under the Directive by ensuring the safe passage of eels past Parteen Weir as they travel onward to the Saragossa Sea to spawn. I value highly the work done by ESB on the trap and transport Initiative and the co-operation with IFI. I saw at first hand how ESB, as a major commercial State company, continues to take very seriously its responsibilities in this area
The National and River Basin District Eel Management Plans specify actions that include: closure of eel fisheries and markets, mitigation of adverse effects of hydropower generation facilities, improvement of water quality and bio-security issues. The overall objective is to increase the biomass of spawning eel leaving Irish waters as the stock has depleted to a dangerous level.
Inland Fisheries Ireland monitors this ESB sponsored operation throughout its duration checking weigh and condition of the fish.
Minister Experiences Eel Conservation First Hand
IRELAND - The European eel population is highly endangered and conservation of this species is a priority for Minister Fergus ODowd who recently visited one of the ESB Trap and Transport sites in Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath on Thursday, 15 November.
