American Eel Stock Assessment Update Finds Resource Remains Depleted

[bobber]

I've had this discussion before- the "gold rush" mentality that exists with the elver fishery is beyond ridiculous...... so much so that there was a reality TV show about it a few years back. those guys get thousands of dollars per pound for the mini-eels. and a pound of elvers means thousands of potential adult eels.


its time for that fishery to be eliminated

[JohnR]

Let's just ban fishing. Exceptions being use or white flies on even number days

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Let's just ban fishing. Exceptions being use or white flies on even number days

On track with my thougbts...I wrote a long descriptive reply and deleted it...
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[numbskull]

Consider that Stezko's 73# shore bass ate a fly (albeit a black one) in preference to the trailing eel and you will realize that if you had to you could fish very effectively for large striped bass using just white flies............provided you could deliver them with systems other than just a flyrod. Eels just make it all much easier.

[DZ]

The reason for my question is banning a baitfish from harvest is not unprecedented - consider the alewife. It sure appears like eels could be headed on the same path.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by DZ

The reason for my question is banning a baitfish from harvest is not unprecedented - consider the alewife. It sure appears like eels could be headed on the same path.

We all thought this would happen in 2003-2004. It was so serious then, it inspired me to start Surfhog Eel Co. Then nothing happened.
There was even a book written about the eel’s Plight “Consider the eel” ....
I think it will take a complete collapse to make changes happen. The sponge must be squeezed of every last drop ;$)
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[DZ]

Originally Posted by Nebe

We all thought this would happen in 2003-2004. It was so serious then, it inspired me to start Surfhog Eel Co. Then nothing happened.
There was even a book written about the eel’s Plight “Consider the eel” ....
I think it will take a complete collapse to make changes happen. The sponge must be squeezed of every last drop ;$)
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

You may be right Eben. I anticipated some restrictions for us back then but they never materialized. But this is perhaps the third dire stock assessment? I'm thinking this time some restrictions may be coming to the recreational bait fishery.