-- The population of the European Eel has fallen by 95% over the last 35 years --The IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) has had the European Eel on the RED LIST for a number of years. -- That is CRITICALLY ENDANGERED -- We are witnessing the potential extinction of a species -- In the last few years (UK)over 300,000,000 Elvers have been exported for human consumption abroad (they are afar eastern delicacy) -- A further 300,000,000 or more Elvers have been exported to Scandinavia, Europe and Russian states for stocking. -- A further Many, many millions of Elvers have been exported illegally to the Far East -- The majority will have come from the Severn river Basin -- Yet the Environment Agency continue to licence the capture and export of Elvers -- In 1997, 50 tonnes of baby eels/ elvers are reputed to have been caught and exported, mostly to the Far East. This year, late in the elver season, only 1 KILO had been caught for the entire river Wye.
W
William Smith
8 years ago
Unnecessary commercial harvesting needs to stop!
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Just leave them alone !
S
Stephen Palmer
8 years ago
This seems an essential first move to save the species in Britain.
B
brian high
8 years ago
greed sould be a crime
S
Stan Watson
8 years ago
Live and let live
J
John Brooks
8 years ago
The fact that this continues when RSAs are banned from targeting eels is disgraceful and extremely short sighted.
A
Anthony Johns
8 years ago
Why not have a minimum landing size like other fish!
R
Richard Norman
8 years ago
This is just common sense!
I
ian waddington
8 years ago
eels are a vital part of the UK rivers and waterways eco systems stop this now !! !
C
Chris White
8 years ago
It beggars belief that anglers are restricted but commercial operators can take what they want.
P
Philip Malet
8 years ago
I agree totally that eels should be left alone in English waters
A
Anthony Walters
8 years ago
Senseless to allow taking of eels during this critical period.
I
Ian richardson
8 years ago
to allow the commercial sale of elvers is the death knell of this amazing creature
Utterly ridiculous. I thought it had been banned!
-- The population of the European Eel has fallen by 95% over the last 35 years --The IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) has had the European Eel on the RED LIST for a number of years. -- That is CRITICALLY ENDANGERED -- We are witnessing the potential extinction of a species -- In the last few years (UK)over 300,000,000 Elvers have been exported for human consumption abroad (they are afar eastern delicacy) -- A further 300,000,000 or more Elvers have been exported to Scandinavia, Europe and Russian states for stocking. -- A further Many, many millions of Elvers have been exported illegally to the Far East -- The majority will have come from the Severn river Basin -- Yet the Environment Agency continue to licence the capture and export of Elvers -- In 1997, 50 tonnes of baby eels/ elvers are reputed to have been caught and exported, mostly to the Far East. This year, late in the elver season, only 1 KILO had been caught for the entire river Wye.
Unnecessary commercial harvesting needs to stop!
Just leave them alone !
This seems an essential first move to save the species in Britain.
greed sould be a crime
Live and let live
The fact that this continues when RSAs are banned from targeting eels is disgraceful and extremely short sighted.
Why not have a minimum landing size like other fish!
This is just common sense!
eels are a vital part of the UK rivers and waterways eco systems stop this now !! !
It beggars belief that anglers are restricted but commercial operators can take what they want.
I agree totally that eels should be left alone in English waters
Senseless to allow taking of eels during this critical period.
to allow the commercial sale of elvers is the death knell of this amazing creature
I thought it had already stopped!
Should be left alone
This is why we never see any now.
It's time to act before it's too late
Please protect stocks of young eels