International eel symposium, 2003 - Quebec August 11, 2003
Oral Presentation

Management of American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in Lake Ontario and the Upper St. Lawrence River

Mathers, R.A. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Lake Ontario Management Unit, Glenora Fisheries Station, R.R. 4, Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0, alastair.mathers@MNR.GOV.ON.CA
Casselman, J.M. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Science Development and Transfer Branch, Aquatic Ecosystems Science Section, Glenora Fisheries Station, R.R. 4, Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0.
Marcogliese, L.A. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Science Development and Transfer Branch, Aquatic Ecosystems Science Section, Glenora Fisheries Station, R.R. 4, Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0.

Presenter email address: alastair.mathers AT MNR.GOV.ON.CA

Abstract Text: The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) has been an important component of the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River. In addition, eel have been one of the most valuable species in the commercial fishery in Ontario waters of this system. Between 1984 and 1993 eel annual harvest ranged between 104-124 metric tons. Since 1993, eel harvests have declined precipitously in all areas above the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. This decline has occurred in spite of an increase in the value of eel. During 2002, 56 fishers, that held 96 licences, harvested 12 metric tons of eel. The fishery harvests maturing yellow eel using hoopnets, trapnets, and hooklines. Limiting new licences, size restrictions, closed seasons, and annual quota allocations are all used to manage the eel fishery. The numbers of eel migrating upstream into this system, suggests that the harvest of eel will likely decline to below 10 metric tons for the foreseeable future. Sustainable fisheries management practices, throughout the range of this panmictic species, will be required to restore eel abundance to the levels observed in Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River prior to the 1990s.