33. Reynolds presented Poole's growth data for an unexploited population of slow-growing eels in Ireland. Mark-recapture and otolithometry both indicated growth rates of 1–2 cm per year, with much individual variation. Growth was usually fastest in the first year.
34. McCarthy described feeding of eels in a lowland Irish river system: feeding was significantly affected by temperature. Simulium was eaten mainly by smaller eels and Gammarus by larger. Klein Breteler recommended a bio-energetic approach to such food studies and commented on the low growth rates observed despite apparent availability of food.
35. Lara presented data on feeding of eels in a Spanish river. Despite fears among sport fishermen, there was little dietary overlap with salmonids. Fish were rare as prey, despite the importance of the streams as salmonid nurseries. Several participants commented that removal of eel was not desirable in the enhancement of sport fisheries, and that different feeding strategies allow co-existence.
36. Klein Breteler compared relative survival and growth performance of eels of different provenance in drainable 0.2 ha mesocosm ponds in the Netherlands. Yield per recruit was higher for stockings of Portuguese glass eels, than for stockings of English. Growing-on Portuguese glass eels and stocking them post-winter did not significantly shorten the time taken to reach a certain size.
