News from the Environment Agency about a project to better protect eels, a critically endangered species, by learning more about their migration routes. Prehistoric eels travel around 6000 kilometres from Europe across the Atlantic Ocean but exactly where they spawn remains completely unknown. In December, three eels were fitted with satellite tags and released into […]
Guardian Patrick Barkham Cocaine in rivers harming endangered eels, study finds Tests show drug causes eels to become hyperactive and damages their muscles, possibly hindering their ability to migrate. Tiny amounts of cocaine flushed into rivers cause eels to become not only hyperactive but to suffer from muscle wastage, impaired gills and hormonal changes, a […]
Two sets of information from the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency 1. Angling Trust: A petition of nearly 2,000 signatures calling for an end to the commercial exploitation of endangered baby eels was handed in to the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street by the Golden Valley Fish and Wildlife Association with support […]
Understanding eel and fish behaviour to improve protection and passage at river structures This project studied the behaviour of fish and eels to find better ways to protect them at flood control structures, weirs, hydropower sites and other intakes. The study showed significant impacts of some river structures on migrating eels, but also that understanding […]
Funding announced for major new wildlife project to reopen the River Severn for fish and wildlife. A major new wildlife project to reopen the mighty River Severn has secured almost £20 million of funding – £10.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £6 million from the European Union LIFE programme. The scheme will re-open […]