eelprojekti

eelprojekti is a multidisciplinary environmental research program focused on the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and related freshwater ecosystems in northern Europe. Initiated in the early 2010s by a consortium of universities, government agencies, and conservation organizations, the project aimed to address declines in eel populations and to improve habitat management along rivers and estuaries. The program brings together ecologists, hydrologists, and data scientists to develop integrated monitoring and restoration approaches.

Objectives include mapping eel distribution, tracing migratory routes, assessing habitat quality, evaluating restoration interventions (such as fish passages and dam realignment), and informing policy on fishing quotas and river infrastructure. Methods combine field surveys, acoustic telemetry, environmental DNA, hydroacoustic sampling, and citizen science data, with findings stored in an open-access research database.

Governance is managed by a steering committee with representatives from academic institutions, regional authorities, and funding bodies. Funding has come from national science funds, environmental agencies, and European development programs, supporting both research and on-site restoration trials.

Key outcomes to date include improved stock assessments, published restoration guidelines, and demonstration sites showing enhanced eel passage and juvenile recruitment. The project has produced publicly available datasets and fostered cross-border collaboration on eel management.

Critics point to gaps in geographic coverage and seasonal sampling, while supporters emphasize the value of long-term data for adaptive management and conservation planning.

See also: European eel, fish passage, river restoration.