Fishing in Lough Neagh’s yellow eel fishery was halted last year after declining eel stocks failed to meet market standards. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir recently unveiled plans to revive the population, including a temporary cessation scheme to support permit holders. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) emphasized that these measures, informed by scientific advice, aim to protect the critically endangered European eel.
Fishermen Fear Losing a Legacy
For Gary McErlain, a seventh-generation eel fisherman, the closure feels like the end of a family tradition. I'm blessed that I've come from a long line of commercial fishing, and I'm blessed that I had the opportunity to do it,
he said. You had the algae bloom of 2023, '24 and '25, and I would say last year was worse than any,
he added. He warned that heatwave conditions could lead to another crisis, stating, it's going to happen again.
He noted several contributing factors, stating, “You can point to a whole host of factors such as zebra mussel, climate change, whatever else. We can see very clearly our Lough Neagh fly is down, the pollution is up.”
Scientific Caution and Hope
Scientists remain cautiously optimistic about the eel’s resilience. Prof. Evans, a researcher involved in the recovery efforts, noted, The eel is a very resilient species, it's been here millions of years.
Given the right chances, it will continue to survive,
he said. Increasing the chances of adult fish to breed through these plans is seen as key to restoring the species.
A Struggle for Survival
McErlain described the emotional toll of contemplating a future without eel fishing: So to ask me how I feel in relation to that not continuing into the future – that's devastating.
Meanwhile, Bethany Gaffey, a student at the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is pursuing a master’s degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences, with plans to graduate in summer 2023. Her research focuses on Gulf Sturgeon distribution and climate change. Gaffey spent the summer of 2021 interning with the University of Florida and the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit as part of a research effort studying Gulf Sturgeon, collaborating with USFWS, FWC, NOAA, USGS, LSU, USM, Mississippi State, UGA, and NAU. This research replicates studies at multiple field sites. She described her experience working with the species as exciting
and stated she enjoys getting up close and personal with these protected fish and then sharing my experiences with friends and family through social media.
Her thesis will focus on how factors like water temperature, precipitation, and groundwater influence habitat use. Gaffey’s crew utilized anchored and drifting gill nets, collecting samples from Gulf Sturgeon ranging from 10 inches to 6 feet in length.
“The eel is a very resilient species, it’s been here millions of years.”
Prof. Evans, scientist
“I’m blessed that I’ve come from a long line of commercial fishing, and I’m blessed that I had the opportunity to do it.”
Gary McErlain, eel fisherman
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