Helen Keogh
Question:48 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for the Marine the amount of fresh water eels taken from Irish rivers in 1995 and 1996. [3652/97]
Written Answers. - Eel Catch.
Statistics for the 1996 eel catch are not yet available. I can advise the Deputy that the estimated eel catch in 1995 totaled 137 tonnes at first sale. The annual reported catch of eels has tended to be less than 150 tonnes, with an estimated value of between £450,000 and £750,000. They are a high species worth between £3,000 to £5,000 per tonne.
A study by the marine institute's fisheries research centre, the ESB and Forbairt indicates that there is considerable potential for development of the fishery and an integrated development strategy plan is being formulated.