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Helping elvers on their epic journey

Rod licence money is helping to protect endangered eel populations on the final leg of their long journey from Caribbean spawning grounds to UK waters.

Eels are a mysterious species that spawn in the Sargasso sea near the Caribbean and then make their way to our inshore waters and up our rivers and streams. They are an integral part of the ongoing health and natural balance of our waterways.

Sadly, eel numbers across Europe have dropped significantly in recent years – to the point of them becoming endangered. This has been caused by a range of factors, including pollution, loss of habitat, over-fishing, disease and obstructions in rivers, which prevent baby eels reaching important feeding areas.

“With funding from rod licence sales, we’ve been able to build over 25 elver passes across the region,” explains Lawrence Talks Regional Fisheries Specialist. “The passes are made using specially designed bristle mats, which help baby eels – or elvers – bypass waterway obstructions such as weirs and sluice gates, and reach feeding areas.”