[AndyC]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

doesn't really suprise me, the elver fishing along the Severn seems almost frenzied, sooo many people with large nets intent on making hundreds from their catch, I don't see how any species can withstand that level of harvest esp if it happens everywhere they return.

But they have not been fished for everywhere they return, and yet the decline has occured everywhere.

Originally Posted by shyfx

I read somewhere about 1 of the reasons the eels are being affected is because of a swim bladder parasite that came out of Japanese eels.Having said that i don't know what Japanese eels would be doing here but it sounded a reasonable explanation.

The arrival of an alien parasite rather than overfishing fits better with the sudden widespread decline. A google of 'eel swim bladder parasites' will bring up some interesting information for those with an interest in these horrid creatures (eels that is, I expect the parasites are quite sweet).

Andy