BAWBURGH LAKE EEL TRACKING STUDY BY CEFAS

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

We are studying the movements and habitat use of eels in Bawburgh Lake over the summer.

WHY?

The numbers of juvenile eels returning to our waters from the oceanic have declined by about 95% in the last 30 years. As the eels in Europe are one family, European countries have to assess their numbers of eels against targets, and take actions to increase production where eel numbers are low.

The UK has to estimate the numbers of eels in rivers, lakes and estuaries. Routine surveys count eels in rivers but we know almost nothing about eels living in lakes. The UK needs to learn how eels behave in lakes so that we can design effective sampling programmes. Our findings from Bawburgh Lake will be used to design monitoring programmes throughout the UK.

HOW ARE WE DOING IT?

Receivers are positioned at fixed locations around the lake, marked by green or orange buoys. These receivers constantly monitor the signals from eel transmitters as the fish move around the lake. Temperature recorders on some the receivers will measure water temperature.

HOW OFTEN DO WE VISIT?

We will download the receivers monthly over the summer and autumn, and then take all the gear out of the lake.

MORE INFORMATION?

Please contact Dr Alan Walker (07766 475 301) if you would like more information about this study.