Baltic Sea Eel Recovery (BALTEEL-RECO)

1. The national “Eel Management Plan” and “National Stocking Programme” were analyzed, a report was prepared and the report’s recommendations were presented to all Lithuanian institutions responsible for regulating the use of eel resources and restoring resources. 2. Lithuanian data on the measures provided for in the eel management plan and data from the project partners – Fisheries Secretariat (Sweden), Estonian Nature Fund and Pasaules dabas fonds (Latvia) – were compiled into one common report and the main facts and conclusions were presented at roundtable seminars in May 2022 in Gothenburg and November 2022 in Stockholm. 3. The main conclusions of the analysis of the eel recovery plan and the national stocking plan were submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture in 2022. Lithuanian institutions responsible for fisheries regulation were urged to: 1) abandon the translocation and use of glass eels for stocking, as it does not bring any tangible benefit to the population, 2) abandon amateur and commercial eel fishing, 3) identify the main eel migration routes and restore habitats in them as a priority. 4. By Order No. D1-99 of the Minister of the Environment of 4 April 2023 amending the Rules for Amateur Fishing in Inland Waters, amateur eel fishing was prohibited in the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. 5. The number of commercial fishing sites was reduced from 45 to 18 (60%) by Order No. D1-35 of the Minister of the Environment of 27 January 2023 On the approval of the list of commercial eel fishing sites in inland waters.