NI eel industry failing to meet targets as Windsor Framework hampers ability to restock waterways

Belfast Telegraph

4 days ago

It comes after fishing was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season
The Windsor Framework has hampered the importation of young eels to NI in recent years, with Lough Neagh officials forced to turn to France for stocking rather than sourcing from UK waters.
It comes after a temporary shut-down in eel fishing on Lough Neagh was extended on Thursday to cover the rest of the eel fishing season.
The initial decision by the Lough Neagh Fisherman's Co-Operative Society (LNFCS) was taken in May over concerns about the fat content of the eels in the Lough.
It is understood the reduction in fat content is connected to significant changes in the Lough's food chain in recent years.
Some 80% of Lough Neagh's eel catch is flown daily to the Netherlands to be smoked and sent to markets across Europe, with the remainder exported to England.
"Unfortunately the sector is a casualty of significant environmental change within the Lough' – Kathleen McBride (LNFCS)
In order to keep the process running smoothly, young eel — known as 'elver' — are imported to NI in the Spring and released into NI waters.
However, a 2024 report into the implementation of the UK's Eel Management Plans (2020-2023) revealed Northern Ireland had not achieved its stocking target for any of the years included in the reporting period.
The report indicated this was due to a 'disconnect in timing of supply with demand, costs and issues associated with EU exit'.
Guidelines on eel management also recommend that 40% are allowed to escape to migrate back to the Sargasso Sea. The report indicated Northern Ireland had failed to meet this target at any time during the reporting period.
Department figures have shown that more than 900kg of young eels have been imported to Northern Ireland from France over the last two years,
Responding to Freedom of Information requests from this newspaper, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed almost 1,000kg in elver was imported over the last two seasons.
A consignment of 400kg was received from the Loire Estuary in France in April 2024, while two separate batches of French eels totalling 516.6kg were sourced in March 2025.
It is understood the 2024 delivery was a donation to the LNFCS, while one source told this newspaper this year's imports were a commercial transaction worth between £150,000 and £200,000.
In previous years, the LNFCS could have imported elver from UK waters, such as the Severn Estuary, but DAERA said this had been impacted by the withdrawal deal signed by the UK and the EU in February 2023.
"The Eel Management Plan for the Lough Neagh/Bann River basin is dependent on the restocking of juvenile eels to support the commercial fishery and meet the escape target,' said a spokesperson.
"Under the Windsor Framework the EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2023/2770 prohibits the import of glass eels from outside the EU into Northern Ireland.
"Therefore, eels for restocking in Northern Ireland in 2025 were sourced from France.'
Responsibility for the sourcing of eels for fishing in Lough Neagh lies with the LNFCS, who on Thursday moved to suspend fishing for the remainder of the season.
"This is a blow for an industry that has commanded huge respect around the world' – DAERA Minister Andrew Muir
The organisation declined to answer direct questions on the importation of eels, but said the decision had been taken to ensure the long term sustainability of the industry.
"Over the last number of years, the quality of Lough Neagh brown eels and their sustainability for the premium European market has been decreasing,' said Chairperson Kathleen McBride.
"Regrettably, following a number of sample tests during the summer and further recent feedback from the markets, an informed decision has been made by the society to close the brown eel fishing for the 2025 season.
"It is hoped that by discontinuing fishing this year, long term it will protect the sustainability of the species and help to address concerns over the recovery of our prestigious market.
"LNFCS are aware of the major impact this will have on fishers, their families and the wider community around Lough Neagh.
"As a commercial industry on Lough Neagh, unfortunately the sector is a casualty of significant environmental change within the Lough.
"LNFCS will continue to work collaboratively with DAERA to attempt to find a solution which will assist all those adversely affected by the closure of the 2025 eel fishing season on Lough Neagh.'
For the third year in a row, toxic blue-green algae has been identified in Lough Neagh. A number of factors have contributed to its rise since 2023, with a warming climate and higher levels of nutrients in the water leading to swathes of algae blooming in NI's waterways.
DAERA figures have indicated the agriculture industry is responsible for around 60% of those nutrients.
The increasing presence of zebra mussels have resulted in clearer water, allowing sunlight to penetrate further and increase the levels of growth in the algae.
Minister Andrew Muir said the closing of the fishing season was 'deeply regrettable' and that he would meet with industry representatives in the coming days.
"This is a blow for an industry that has commanded huge respect around the world,' he said.
"The next focus is now on the opening of the silver eel fishing season between September and December later this year. Eel fishing has been an intrinsic part of the history and heritage of communities around Lough Neagh.'