European eels have a remarkable and complex life cycle. They hatch in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean before migrating to freshwater habitats, where they grow and mature. Once ready to reproduce, they return to the ocean to spawn.
European eels are strong swimmers and typically hunt at night. Some sources suggest they can live for up to 80 years.
Mr Burgoyne said the Nature Commission and Guernsey Water were using environmental DNA sampling in freshwater ponds and streams across the island to learn more about European eel habitats in Guernsey.
She said freshwater habitats are declining because of drainage, land clearing, poor habitat management and pollution.
“These pressures could increase the fragmentation and isolation of water bodies, making it more difficult for European eels to migrate between them.
“Infrastructure, including pipes and dams along the coast and further inland, can also make it harder for returning eels to reach inland feeding grounds,” she added.
“European eels are declining globally, so it is important to improve our understanding of island populations and the freshwater habitats they depend on.”
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Source: www.bbc.co.uk