AUTHORS: IEEP

At the beginning of October, the Commission adopted a Communication outlining intentions for the development of a Community Action Plan for the management of the European eel stock (COM(2003)573). This follows, and is closely based on, recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to urgently develop a recovery plan for the European eel, which is considered to be outside safe biological limits.

The Commission proposes to develop an action plan that builds upon and coordinates current Member State initiatives. Measures include fisheries restrictions and habitat restoration. Developing such a plan will take time however due to the paucity of data on current management systems and a lack of suitable indicators. It is therefore proposed that short-term precautionary measures will be taken in the interim period.