Aalonderzoek (WOT-05-001-007, WOT-05-001-017, WOT-05-406-007, WOT-05-406-185)

A sampling programme is established covering the eel stock in the Netherlands. This sampling programme consists of: 1) market sampling of commercial catches, aiming to estimate size and age compositions of the catch; 2) glass eel monitoring programme at different locations along the main glass eel entries in The Netherlands; 3) a monitoring programme of eel in ditches; 4) index development to monitor changes in the biomass of silver eel migrating to sea; 5) mortality of migrating silver eels at a Hydropower station in the river Meuse will be deter­mined by using tagged (acoustic) eels; 6) a model analysing the eel abundance is developed and kept up-to-date.

results and products: Data collected in monitoring programmes are stored in national databases. Results are summarised in an annual Country Report (“Status of eel and the eel fishery in the Netherlands”). Intermediate results are communicated with fishery managers and stake holders. The next evaluation of the Dutch eel management plan is scheduled in 2024.