According to the ICES, the size of the stock has decreased dramatically since the mid 1980s and there are no signs of recovery.
A total quota of 50 tons for 2009 meant a reduction in exploitation of over 80 per cent compared with the average for the years 2004 to 2006. This represents a considerably greater reduction than the EU requirements for the conservation and management plans that have been prepared by the member countries. The ministry will work towards securing sustainable management of the European eel internationally. A monitoring quota of 50 tons was set for the 2010 fishery.
Management and technical regulations of the fishery
The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs has adopted new regulations for the management of the European eel. The serious situation for the eel makes effective measures to improve recruitment absolutely vital and these measures must ensure a substantial reduction in exploitation. The new regulations applied from 1st of July 2009 for an indefinite period.
The decision of the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs means that:
A total prohibition is introduced on leisure fishing for own consumption and for sale by anyone who is not a registered commercial fisherman.
- A total quota of 50 tons of eel was introduced for registered commercial fishermen in 2009, with fishing to be stopped once this quota had been reached.
- From and including 2010, the ban on fishing eel also applied to commercial fishermen. In order to ensure the availability of data material and monitoring of the stock, a scheme was introduced from 1st of January 2010 for a limited fishery for monitoring purposes. The Directorate of Fisheries has established specific criteria for this fishery.
An extended system of reporting was introduced for those who took part in the monitoring fishery from and including 2010, with specific rules determined by the Directorate of Fisheries and the Institute of Marine Research.
Fishing for the purposes of monitoring from 2010 onward will ensure that data can be collected in an efficient manner, so as to be able to keep a continuous eye on stocks. Such a scheme will also contribute to maintain a fishing tradition to the extent possible within the biological limitations of the stock.
About the fishery
In view of the substantial decline of the eel stock, work has been going on systematically over the last year to obtain the best possible foundation of information on which to base future management. In the course of this work, all available information about the stock and catches in Norway has been investigated. The report has been made available for the industry to provide input regarding the various measures outlined.