Environment Agency eel protection continues in East Anglia

Some of the work that the Environment Agency carries out includes monitoring and improving mitigation for eels through barriers, weirs and sluices, as these structures can prevent eel migration into our waters.

Eel passes have also been installed in rivers across East Anglia, to help eels get into our waters and back out again. Eel passes are monitored and maintained to make sure they're effective through the migrating season.

European eels are a critically endangered species, so the work carried out by the Environment Agency's East Anglia team is vital for the species.

The Environment Agency also ensure that anyone who owns a pumping station near a river has a screen on it, which will prevent eels from entering the station. These screens are regularly inspected and maintained.

Eel surveys are regularly carried out by the Environment Agency across East Anglia, which allows the team to check eel health and look out for dangerous parasites or diseases.

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If a disease is picked up in a survey, an Environment Agency laboratory will investigate the cause, with the aim of helping future conservation for eels.

Loss of habitat and illegal trade and fishing are all factors that contribute to the decline in the eel population.

European eels are an endangered species. (Credit: Environment Agency) (Image: Environment Agency)

The East Anglia branch of the Environment Agency is working to reduce the impact of these factors on eels.

They've been doing this by protecting and improving fisheries, as well as investing into the environment and conditions where eels live.

Climate change has also been a challenge in protecting eels, as changing ocean temperatures mean that eels often migrate to different areas, which interferes with how they breed.

The Environment Agency's work in the East Anglia region aims to give eels a better chance at coping with environmental changes.