Restocking in state Brandenburg provides 6 Million eels for the goals of the Elbe River Eel Management Plan (Germany)

12 April 2017. Between March and May 2017, fishery authorities in Brandenburg (federal state) restock Elbe river tributaries with 6 Million European eels (Anguilla anguilla). Restocking is a very necessary measure in Germany since most natural habitats are not accessable due barriers such as weirs and hydroelectric power stations that block the natural up- und dowstream migration of glass eels and silver eels. In early March 2017, 5 Million glass eels caught at the French atlantic coast were delivered in 503 boxes packed with 3 kilogram each.

Between late march and mid April, 655.000 farmed eels were supplied by a German eel farm and released into the main tributaries Havel, Dahme and Spree river. Caught in France in the early season (late 2016) and fed for several months, eels increased their weight from 0.3 gram to about 7 gram. Two additional shipments consisting 595.00 farmed eels are scheduled for May 2017. Additional 85.000 farm eels will be funded by the Eel Stewardship Fund (esf.international)

Since the implementation of the regional pilot project that aims to increase the number of spawners, 40 Million eels were released since 2006. 20% of the costs are provided by fishermen and Anglers while 80% are funded by the state and the European Union (EMFF).