Critical elements in the stock assessment of eel and sea-trout (HÅB) (39666)

The overall purpose of the project is to provide information on the importance of certain elements (fishing, predation) for trout and eel stocks in order to improve stock assessment and management.

The activities of the project: The study consists of three work packages: 
- WP1: A study of fishing mortality of silver (maturing) eel from the Baltic in the Danish eel fishery, both recreationally and commercially. This is done using acoustic telemetry.
- WP2: Estimating mortality and sublethal effects of sea trout after catch and release in connection with angling. We use citizen science to collect knowledge of hook damage in relation to different types of fishing tackle and performs large-scale laboratory experiments where we investigate mortality after release, as well as growth and healing.
- WP3: The survival of young sea trout after emigration to the coast. Here we use telemetry methods to quantify the proportion of young people sea trout being eaten by cormorants.

Expected results/impact of the project: There will be direct input to the management of the coastal fishery, including in particular the fishing for silver eel and the recreational fishing for sea trout. Fishing mortality on silver eel (WP1), mortality in connection with anglers' release of sea trout (Catch & Release) (WP2) as well as cormorant predation (WP3), are three areas where there is a great need to improve the scientific basis in the biological advice in relation to the management of eel and sea trout stocks.

Dissemination of the results/knowledge to the target group (s) are planned and will include: Presentation and discussion at relevant ICES meetings (WGRFS, WGBAST, WGTRUTTA, WGEEL). Articles in Fiskeritidende, fishermen's magazines and on social media must inform about the results. Short, informative news from the project will be written on Fiskepleje.dk.

Partners
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DTU Aqua (coordinator)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
Ghent University, Belgium
Dalhousie University, Canada
Institute of Marine Research, Norway
Research Center for Agriculture and Fisheries Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
Natural Resources Institute (LUKE), Finland
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia
Wildlife Estonia, Estonia
Nature Research Centre, Lithuania
Thünen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Germany
HavørredFyn, Denmark

Funding
The project is funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Danish Fisheries Agency. 

Research area: Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology