West Sutherland Elver Survey

West Sutherland Elver Survey 2008
yellow/silver eel fishery has existed at least since 1573, though no official records have ever
been kept for eels in Scotland. During the 1960s-1970s eel catches in Scotland were
estimated at around 10-40 t per annum. A survey carried out in 1989 showed only 17 eel
fisheries in operation, eel catches ranging from 0.25 to 10.76 t (total: 23 t), none providing a
sole income. In 2003 the total fishery took 2-3t, with yellow eels dominating the catches
(apx 95% by weight). The last of these fisheries (Lunan Burn, Tayside) closed in 2006 with its
catch declining to 5% of the original level. Over-fishing has been suggested to be the cause
of the collapse of the yellow/silver eel fishery in Scotland.
17 West Sutherland Fisheries Trust