Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/004
Review of American eel elver fishery in Scotia-Fundy area, Maritimes Region
By Jessop, B.M.
Abstract
The fishery for American eel (Anguilla rostrata) elvers in Scotia-Fundy region has, since its inception in 1989, increased the number of experimental licenses to seven, with each license operation within separate, defined geographic areas, and increased catches from 26 kg to 3.2 tonnes, worth an estimated 1.6-2.2 million dollars. Elver catches (presumed to reflect elver abundance) varied geographically and between years. In 1995, elver catches were highest along the lower Bay of Fundy and south shores of Nova Scotia, moderately high along the lower Bay of Fundy (southwest) shore of New Brunswick and scarce along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. In 1994, elver catches were higher in southwest New Brunswick than along the Fundy and south shores of Nova Scotia. Elvers first arrive in April but most elver catch occurs during May. The higher proportion of May elver catch occurring in southwest New Brunswick relative to the lower Bay of Fundy shore of Nova Scotia reflects the counterclockwise movement of elvers through the Bay of Fundy in response to residual currents. Refinements to the existing management plan are being considered from 1996 with the objective of promoting full geographic coverage by the fishery and providing for native and aquaculture requirements.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
- Date modified: