Lough Neagh Eel: Difference between revisions

‘Lough Neagh Eel’ is the name given to both yellow (known as brown locally) and silver (mature) wild [[eels]] of the species ''Anguilla anguilla'' (European [[eel]]) caught in the defined area. This application covers fresh [[eels]] only.  Lough Neagh [[eels]] have the following characteristics:

— large in size (minimum 40 cm in length, weight between 150-600 g)

— higher fat content than [[eels]] from other locations (mature Lough Neagh eels have approximately 23 % fat)

— the younger ‘brown/yellow [[eels]]’ are a dark green with a brown/yellow tint

— the older ‘silver [[eels]]’ are black with a silver tint

— Lough Neagh [[eels]] have a narrow head and short tail with rounded body

— the flesh of the fresh [[eel]] once cooked is white, soft and fluffy with an earthy flavour

Fishermen set up to four nylon lines approximately 1 mile long with approximately 400 baited hooks attached to each line. These lines are then ‘lifted’ in the early hours of the following morning. This involves bringing the line aboard by hand and storing any caught eels in barrels through which fresh water is pumped, to minimise mortality.  The catch is returned to shore, where any [[eels]] under 16 inches (40 cm) in length will be returned to the lough, under the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society’s regulations, to ensure sustainable stocks for the future.

The [[eels]] are then taken to the Co-operative’s factory for grading and onward transportation, similarly to the yellow eels.

To ensure the sustainability of the European [[eel]] stock in the Neagh/Bann basin, an Eel Management Plan is in place which was developed and is operated in conjunction with the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society. To maintain stocks, a number of measures are in place. These measures can only be practically managed through a licensing system, which is operated by the Society. There are no restrictions regarding who can apply for a licence. Membership of the society is not a prerequisite when applying for a licence, but if a licence is granted, then the fisherman may become a member of the Co-operative Society.

The Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society manages the sustainability of the eel fishery through a number of measures.

— Control of the issuing of licenses: the Co-operative issues approximately 180 licences each year. The licensed boat owner must be present in the boat at all times when fishing is taking place.

— Control of fishing methods: [[eel]] fishing can only take place using the longline or draft net process. The lines are subject to a maximum number of hooks. There is a limit set regarding the size of both the boat and the net.

— Catch quotas: a daily catch quota is set for each boat to ensure that the lough is not overfished.

— Minimum catch size: [[eels]] under 40 cm must be returned to the water by the fishermen. If undersized [[eels]] are sent to the factory, then they are returned to the water at the factory and penalties may be imposed.

— Operation of close season: fishing for both yellow and silver [[eels]] is restricted to certain times of the year to allow for replenishment of stocks.

— Protection Service: 24-hour protection service operates to ensure that only licensed fishermen fish for [[eels]].

— ‘Trap & truck’ operation: to assist the inward migration of [[elvers]] up the River Bann to Lough Neagh, many are caught at [[eel]] traps and transported in tanks to the lough to increase the number of [[elvers]] arriving in the lough each year.

— Traditional straw ropes: straw ropes are hand-made and laid on the [[elver]] passes to assist the [[elvers]] passage upstream to the lough. This increases the success rate for inward migration to the lough.

— Maintenance of a ‘Queen’s Gap’ at the silver eel weirs: a 10 % unfished gap (Queen’s Gap) is maintained at the [[eel]] weirs where the silver [[eels]] are caught to allow some of the stock to return to their mating grounds in the Sargasso Sea.

— Purchase of [[elvers]] from other areas to supplement natural recruitment to the stock: in recent years the natural migration of elvers to Lough Neagh has declined and so the Co-operative buys [[elvers]] from other areas which the mature in the lough. These [[elvers]] will then mature in the lough which gives them the distinct characteristics of Lough Neagh [[eels]].

The longstanding historical tradition and techniques used in the catching of [[eels]] in the specified geographical area forms the basis of the link to the geographical area. In addition, the application is based on Lough Neagh eels’ reputation for having a higher fat content than [[eels]] from other areas.  Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles which boasts many specific characteristics as described above which gives rise to a habitat which provides high value food contributing to the unique higher fat content from [[eels]] in Lough Neagh.

The fishermen still use many of the traditional methods used by generations before them. They are caught using sustainable practices managed by the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society. The practices adopted include the maintenance of a ‘Queens Gap’ which provides a 10 % gap at the [[eel]] weirs to enable the silver (mature) [[eels]] to return to mating grounds in the Sargasso Sea.