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Status:

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To improve the information available on the European eel in the surroundings of Natura 2000 Network areas in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula. Special attention will be paid to aspects related to those spaces that can be used as a reservoir, or the dates of migration, in order to establish those measures that may be more efficient for the conservation of the species, always agreed with the sectors involved.

A1-Monitoring and Tracking of European Eel

A2-Marking and tracking of tagged individuals

A2.1.-Sampling at the fish market of eels caught by fishermen (Periodic sampling during the eel fishing period, 1 December-16 February and 1-31 March).

A2.2.-Sampling from zodiacs of discarded eels (Development of periodic samplings during the period of eel closure).

A2.3.-Marking and monitoring with radio transmitters (marking at the beginning of the season; subsequent monitoring).

A3-Establishment of management and monitoring proposals

A4-Information, awareness-raising and participation of local people and stakeholders, and exchange of information with international experts

A4.1-INFORMATION: Informative posters in the Brotherhood to promote participation and collaboration of fishermen.

A4.2-ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Environmental education activities in educational centres and organisations.

A4.3-PARTICIPATION OF THE GENERAL POPULATION: Volunteer activities.

A4.4-PARTICIPATION OF INTERESTED SECTORS: Technical conference and meetings to advance in management.

A5-Dissemination of the project

In the GePesAng project Eel monitoring for fisheries management in the Natura 2000 Network , the status of European eel subpopulations and their geographical distribution in habitats in the southeast of the Iberian Natura 2000 Network was evaluated, such as the Los Charcones de Las Moreras Wetland, in the Mar Menor lagoon and its surroundings and the Fond d’Elx-Crevillent Natural Park.

The results obtained in previous European eel monitoring projects were analysed to focus the sampling effort on the information gaps detected. Subsequently, 150 samplings were carried out, distributing them to avoid detectability biases associated with annual patterns of activity of the species. The samplings were carried out in 37 localities, mainly in the province of Alicante.

31 eels were captured and an inventory of the identified threats was developed. Likewise, the cartography and distribution of the species in the study area was updated with previous information. The conclusions include:

• The results seem to show a negative trend in the eel population, with a very low frequency of occurrence in the Natura 2000 Network “El Fondo d’Elx-Crevillente” area and in the irrigation system associated with it. This confirms the critical situation of the European eel in the canalizations and irrigation systems of the Levant, where in the past the abundance of the species even allowed its commercialization.
• The species appears well distributed and represented in the perimeter wetlands of the SCI “Open Spaces and Islands of the Mar Menor”, with the Albujón watercourse being the most important locality for the European eel in this geographical context (frequency of occurrence of 43.9%). The maintenance of an ecological flow that allows the role of this enclave as a habitat for the species to be maintained is considered a priority, as well as the establishment of compensatory measures.
• The torrential rains that occurred in autumn 2019 connected the SPA “Lagunas de las Moreras” with the Mediterranean through the Rambla de Moreras, allowing the escape of mature specimens observed in previous years and which, given their high length-to-weight ratio, seemed to be isolated without the possibility of starting their migration.
• The main threats detected that should be taken into account in the management plan of the species are: the gates installed in the irrigation water elevation systems, the isolation of lagoon systems from the channels that drain to the Mediterranean, illegal fishing of eels in the marine environment and the arrival of exotic species. such as the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) observed in the samplings.

On the other hand, 13 samplings have been carried out in seven days to take biometric measurements of 609 individuals. On the other hand, 475 copies have been individualized by visual labels, and 27 by acoustic telemetry devices.

For the establishment of proposals for the sustainable management of the eel fishery and their monitoring, the following criteria have been defined:

• Criteria to adapt eel fishing in the Mar Menor and guarantee escape.
• Criteria on habitat management to favor eel in coastal wetlands.
• Criteria for the management of captive populations to ensure escape.
• General criteria for the management of the species.

The project’s dissemination and awareness-raising actions have been completed with the following activities:

• Preparation of a didactic guide on the European eel (2020) and on the GePesAng project, which includes 90 pages of content adapted to the academic curriculum and activities that teachers can develop with students.
• Design of the brochure The European Eel (2019) and an exhibition Expo Anguilla – GePesAng Project, which was installed in seven spaces, adding up to a total of 85 days of exhibition.
• Organization of 20 activities in 14 educational centers, associations and other organizations, reaching a total of 1,396 students and 54 teachers.
• Launch of the micro-fiction contest A brief history about our natural spaces, in which a total of 35 authors participated with 41 stories, of which 11 stories were focused on the European eel.
• Nine days of volunteering, with 86 volunteers participating.
• Two discussion meetings on the European population of eel. For its organization, work was carried out, mainly from WWF, in coordination with the Fisheries Secretariat and the Good Fish Foundation.