FiveRivers were commissioned by Southern Water Services Ltd. (SWS) under AMP7 to conduct a trap and transport programme, with the primary aim of translocating as many IUCN red listed critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) as practical, from the population landlocked within Darwell Reservoir to downstream sites within the River Rother. Reintroducing fish to unbounded areas of downstream habitat will provide translocated eel the opportunity to complete their > 5000 km spawning migration to the Sargasso Sea and assist in the recovery of European eel stock.
30 doubled-ended knotless fyke nets were deployed across the 156-acre reservoir, over the four-week trap and transport programme period. A total of 54 European eel were captured and translocated. Individuals were in good health, and ranged in size from 500 mm to 1100 mm.
This report is an overview of the evidence gathered during the trap and transport programme.