Talk:American eel

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The once prolific American eel has declined drastically in numbers during recent years. While there may be a number of reasons for the decline including ocean temperature changes, current shifts and pathogens, two reasons that we know about are caused by dams. Dam barriers block access to historic upstream habitat. Juvenile eels moving upstream can be incredibly adaptable and some still manage to make it past the dams, even leaving the water to do so. Once their only outmigration to spawn in the Sargasso Sea takes place at maturity they again must pass through dams. If these are hydro-electric dams then typically the only way to attempt downstream passage is through rotating steel turbine blades. Turbine induced mortality may be as high as 100%.

A petition filed by Douglas and Timothy Watts to place this species on the US Endangered Species list has been filed and the species is currently undergoing a full status review by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Additionally, in Maine efforts are underway by Friends of Merrymeeting Bay and Douglas Watts to modify many dam licenses on the Kennebec and Androscoggin Rivers to provide for the immediate installation of up and downstream eel passage facilities. These efforts are being met with resistance by state environmental agencies who work closely with dam owners.

For more information two excellent web resources are the "cybrary" link at the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay web site: www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org and the Friends of Kennebec Salmon site at: www.kennebecriver.org

Ed Friedman, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay--207.5.192.218 02:29, 12 February 2006 (UTC)Ed Friedman