92002E1266

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1266/02

by Heinz Kindermann (PSE) to the Commission

(6 May 2002)

Subject: Protection of European eel stocks and catching of elvers

The river eel (Anguilla anguilla) is an important element in Europe's aquatic fauna and significant on economic grounds in the fishing industries of many EU Member States. However, for some decades stocks have been declining rapidly, to such an extent that the eel must now be regarded as an endangered species.

As artificial reproduction of eels is not yet possible, eel stocks can be maintained in inland waters only by means of elvers spontaneously swimming upstream or being caught near the coast and moved to inland waters. However, many elvers caught near Europe's coasts are used not to restock inland waters in Europe but for direct human consumption or export to Asia for use in fish farming there.

Is the Commission aware of this problem? What has the Commission done in the past to protect European eel stocks? What measures is it planning to take in the future? Is consideration being given to banning the catching of elvers for direct human consumption or for export to Asia?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2002)

The Commission is fully aware of the value of European eel both as a fishery resource and as part of Europe's natural heritage and is preoccupied by the current status of conservation of European eel populations. Although the reasons for the decline in the eel population is not fully understood there is enough evidence to suggest that both excessive fishing pressure as well as habitat degradation have contributed. Action in at least these two areas seem therefore necessary to ensure the conservation and sustainable exploitation of this species.

The Commission has been asked to propose conservation measures for European eels. In this context, the Commission is working on a action plan which will be presented to the Council and the Parliament in autumn 2002. This action plan will analyse the biological and legal complexity of the management of European eel, and will explore possibilities for its adequate management. The Commission intends to debate the ideas of this action plan with Council and Parliament, and to make specific proposals for management action following such debate.