There is a long tradition of research on eels which has given valuable information on their biology. However, cooperative efforts have been rare. Furthermore, the “Synopsis of biological data on the eel” by C.L. Deelder (FAO 1970 - FIRI/S80) revealed several gaps in current knowledge. In particular, it showed that little is known about the eel fishery, and nothing about its state of exploitation. The European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) therefore agreed to hold a Joint Symposium on Eel Research and Management in accordance with EIFAC Recommendation 74/4 “that the cooperation between EIFAC and ICES in the matter of eel research and management take the form of a symposium to be held, if possible, immediately before the Ninth Session of EIFAC”.
The objective of the Symposium was to review the biology of and the fishery for Anguilla species.
The Symposium was held on 9–11 June 1976 at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki (Finland) in conjunction with the Ninth Session of EIFAC (9–15 June 1976) at the invitation of the Finnish Government.
At the opening meeting, Prof. Dr. K. Tiews of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chairman of Sub-Commission I of EIFAC, and Mr. H. Tambs-Lyche, General Secretary of ICES reviewed the events and recommendations of their respective bodies, which led to the convening of the Symposium (Annexes III and IV). The joint Chairmen, Prof. F. Thurow and Mr. McGrath outlined the general objectives and introduced the topics of the Symposium.
The Symposium was organized into consecutive meetings, which were handled by panels of experts under the leadership of a panel convener. Panel 1 concerned itself with the state of the national fisheries with respect to catches and stocking. Panel 2 discussed measures for the improvement and maintenance of fisheries. Panel 3 dealt with problems associated with the assessment of the growth of eels. Panel 4 considered migration in relation to breeding and feeding areas, maturation, orientation mechanism and physiological adaptation. Each panel convener summarized information available on his panel topic. The subject was then referred to the panel members to bring out additional points or highlight aspects of the subject. Following each panel presentation, the other participants were invited to contribute to the more general discussion of the topic. The conclusions of the different panels were discussed in Panel 5 and recommendations were formulated.
