Formation:

The group has existed in its present form since 1985, although it was originally formed in the late 1970's.

Aims of the group:

Provide a means for Experienced Eel Anglers to contact other like-minded specialists and to exchange information and to improve member's catches and broaden our knowledge of Anguilla Anguilla, the European freshwater Eel.

Promote Eel Conservation to other Anglers and the general public.

John Hughes with a  4lb 14oz eel from a Somerset stillwater

Members:

The Eel Study Group is a single species specialist group whose members fish specifically for specimen sized Eels, using rod and line, during the bulk of their fishing. The group consists of members spread nationally across the country. All are experienced long term Eel anglers who have shown a willingness both to dedicate many years of angling in pursuit of big Eels, and also a willingness to partake in the exchange of information hopefully to improve their own and group members catches.

Whilst fishing for big Eels is our primary concern, many members do fish for other species during the year and this is welcomed so that our members have as wider view of the specialist angling scene as possible.

Contact Names and addresses:

The ESG is affiliated to:

The Specialist Anglers Alliance (SAA)
The Eel Conservation Society.
The Sea Anglers Conservation network (SACN).

Group Material:

The group issues monthly newsletters to group members, detailing member's catches and other points of interest for the members. The group also issues a number of `Bulletin’ group magazines per year to which all the members are expected to contribute articles relating to eels or eel fishing. Rotary letters are sometimes used to discuss specific methods/rigs/issues etc.

Clive Dennison with a 5lb 13oz Eel from a Yorkshire gravel pit

Reporting Schemes:

The Group operates a catch reporting scheme so as to study / analyzes members catches. Individual fish in excess of 4lbs are reported via a more detailed additional report for the benefit of all the group members, Each member is also asked to submit monthly catch return s to assist in the analysis of catches and the compilation of the groups newsletter, which outlines details of members sessions fished for eels during each month.

Data Recording:

To date the group Eel record is superb specimen of 8-00 (Mick Bowles) with members catching specimen sized Eels (fish in excess of 4lbs) regularly. Details of members catches are used along with other groups to update national lists/records. We also send out to members a compilation of the 4lb plus data sheets at the end of each year. Several of our members have had outstanding catches of eels, but most would prefer to keep a low profile with the Angling press, getting satisfaction from our catches alone.

Membership:

Over the years the group has attracted a number of the countries most dedicated Eel anglers, but we are always on the lookout for new prospective members. Whilst, obviously, it is an advantage to have caught a number of good specimen eels (4lb plus fish), the group is prepared to consider applications from less experienced eel anglers if they can prove that they are dedicated and prepared to contribute towards the groups aims. Any prospective members are required to complete a membership questionnaire outlining their Angling background etc for consideration by the group membership.

Membership fees are £10.00 per year running from 1^st January to 31^st December. If you feel you are seriously interested into specimen eel fishing, and that you may be interested in joining the ESG please contact Clive Dennison, the groups General secretary, on this site address below:

Wayne Staddon displays a 5lb plus Eel from a Midlands canal

4lb plus reporting scheme:

The group operates a scheme whereby members are asked to submit, on a voluntary basis, a detailed report for each individual Eel caught over four Pounds. This is to gain as much information as possible from these `Significant’ catches. Details of these catches are retained for access by members only, and compiled into a `4lb plus report’ document at the end of each year for distribution to all members.

Eel Conservation:

The group works with the other Eel specialist groups to put forward a strong case for the conservation of the UK Eel stocks. Through discussions with the Environment Agency we are consulting on proposed legislation changes and other issues relevant to the Commercial Eel and Elver netting fisheries. We try to broaden the message of eel conservation to the wider angling public.

In 1995 the ESG and NAC agreed to act together on matters of Eel conservation through the formation of the Eel conservation Society (ECS) the website of the ECS is at : http://www.angling.freeserve.co.uk/ecsweb.htm  and outlines the increasing involvement of the eel specialist groups in legislation consultations both at UK and European levels. The site includes numerous links to documents and sites relating to this involvement. Brief details of our involvements are summarised below:

During 1995 and 1999 we contacted all of the regional Environment Agency fisheries departments in an effort to checkout differences in the regional byelaws relating to commercial Eel and Elver fisheries. We have used this evidence to press for major changes in the legislation and fisheries byelaws.

During 1998 and 1999 we made representations to the SACG (Specialist Anglers Conservation Group), the Moran Committee, The Environment Agency (EA) and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Board to press for Byelaw changes / reviews, putting forward the case to strengthen protection of the UK eel stocks.

During the EA’s review of the Eel fisheries Net licensing and duties byelaws, representatives from the ECS (representing the ESG and NAC) made detailed submissions in 2001 and 2003 to the EA reviews. Plus we also had two meetings direct with EA eel fisheries management staff. One at Huddersfield on 14/06/01 and a further meeting at Stoke on 23/07/03, to discuss the byelaw proposals.

We continue to play our part in contributing to the wider specialist angling politics and conservation issues through our involvement with the Specialist Anglers Alliance (SAA), which has recently formed following the merger of the SACG and NASA to which we were previously affiliated.

The ESG is one of the two groups affiliated to form the Eel conservation Society , the website is at

  http://www.angling.freeserve.co.uk/ecsweb.htm

The site outlines in details what we see as the current status / threats and initiatives to legislate the eel fisheries and its habitat at UK and European levels and outlines the  concerns and activities of the Specialist eel Groups to influence these changes.

ICES working group on Eel and the European Union Commission have drawn up an Action plan for the recovery of the European Eel. And this will play a major part in shaping immediate and longer term measures to protect the eel at national and European levels:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/news-corner/press/inf03-40-en.htm  

Clive Dennison with a 5lb 15oz Eel from an Essex stillwater

Anyone wishing to contact the group on any issue related to conservation of eel stocks/Byelaw reviews/changes etc can contact the group via E-Mail Clive@anguilla.fsnet.co.uk

Thanks to Elton Murphy at Anglers' Net for the offer and preparation of this Webspace. 

Clive Dennison (General Secretary)

On behalf of the membership of the Eel Study Group

Updated as of 16/12/03