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An important aspect of the current listing process is assessing threats to the species, and determining wether or not these threat issues are being addressed. The major threats appear to be habitat loss due to dams, hydro mortality, fishing pressure and an introduced swim bladder nematode. Currently nothing of significance is being done to address these threats. ASMFC has an opportunity to address the only threat which can be easily addressed, fishing mortality, they have apparently chose to duck and hide instead.
Not only is ASMFC hiding behind the listing process, they are hiding behind their own failure to gather species information since the Eel Management Board was established in 2000. Addendum 1 essentially says we haven’t done much of anything since 2000 so we can’t take any real action, but we are going to get serious about gathering data in the future. In the mean time the eel populations dwindle. The whole thing is reminiscent of a Monty Python Flying Circus skit.
This puts the Feds in a difficult position. If they determine the stocks are declining as much as they appear to be, and if none of the threats are being addressed as of next year at about this time, they will have to list them.
Another important aspect of this whole affair is that eels are completely different than any other managed species. There is only one spawning stock of American eel and they can’t be reproduced in captivity. If the populations drop to low there is no place to get more American eels, we may lose them.
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