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Ban on Eel Exports from the UK to Russia: Implications for Conservation and Local Fisheries

In a significant policy decision, the UK government has halted the export of endangered eels from its estuaries to Russia for the remainder of the year. This ban was implemented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and has been deemed a major blow to the country’s remaining eel trading sector, particularly impacting traditional elvering practices that have been in existence for centuries.

Peter Wood, the owner of UK Glass Eels and an experienced exporter of glass eels for over five decades, expressed concerns over the ban. Last year, he was permitted to export one tonne of glass eels—about 3 million juvenile eels—caught from the Severn estuary, which has historically been a critical area for elver fishing.

The European eel, or Anguilla anguilla, is classified as a protected species under the IUCN Red List. There has been a dramatic decline of 95% in the numbers of elvers entering European rivers since the 1980s, leading to increasing conservation concerns.

In response to the declining eel populations, the European Union imposed a ban in 2010 on trading European eels outside their natural habitats. Although Brexit complicated matters for British fishers wishing to export eels to EU countries, a loophole allowed for the catching and exporting of eels to non-EU locations for conservation projects. However, the recent ban on exports to Russia has erased this avenue, raising alarms within local fishing communities.

Wood lamented the loss of the market that had historically supported the River Severn’s traditional fishery, pointing out the problems it would create for his team and the local heritage associated with this practice. “It is absolutely devastating,” he stated, highlighting the potential loss of jobs and cultural heritage linked to eel fishing.

A spokesperson from Defra defended the decision, asserting that stringent regulations are in place to protect species like glass eels. The refusal to approve the export application was based on concerns over illegal trading, particularly given the geopolitical situation surrounding Russia.

An online petition urging the government to end eel exports to Russia garnered over 55,000 signatures, indicating public support for the conservation of this species after media reports unveiled plans to increase the volumes of eels exported.

Despite the ban’s immediate negative effects, some conservationists view it positively. Andrew Kerr, chair of the Sustainable Eel Group, praised the government’s decision, suggesting that efforts should focus on enhancing eel populations in UK rivers rather than exporting them abroad. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the glass eel surplus from the Bristol Channel for local restocking programs rather than sending them to Russia.

The life cycle of eels involves young elvers entering river systems where they mature before migrating to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce. However, current assessments show that no English or Welsh river is meeting its target for “eel escapement,” which is critical for the species’ survival. Improving local habitats by removing barriers like weirs and constructing fish passes, as well as relocating glass eels to more suitable environments, are seen as key strategies to bolster eel populations in the UK.

Source
www.theguardian.com