DAERA Minister has today confirmed a series
of measures for the 2026 Lough Neagh eel fishery, aimed at
ensuring the sustainable management and long-term recovery of
stocks.
For the 2026 season, the following measures will apply:
- A total allowable catch of 25 tonnes, exclusively for the
silver eel fishery
- A maximum landing size of 90 centimetres
- Closure of the yellow eel fishery for a period of three
years, commencing in 2026
These new measures are informed by scientific advice from the
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and
the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and reflect the
Department's statutory responsibilities to protect the European
eel, which is classified as critically endangered. The Department
has been engaging with the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-Operative
Society Ltd, the owner of eel fishing rights for Lough Neagh,
regarding the development of these measures.
Minister Muir acknowledged the importance of the fishery to local
communities while emphasising the need for decisive action. He
said: “Eel fishing is an important industry and intrinsic
part of the history and heritage of communities living around
Lough Neagh. These measures are necessary to support the recovery
of eel stocks and to ensure that this important fishery can be
sustained into the future. I recognise the implication of these
measures, particularly of the yellow eel fishery closure, on
fishers and their families.”
The Minister has confirmed that work is being progressed as a
priority to develop a temporary cessation scheme to support
permit holders affected by the closure of the yellow eel fishery.
He added: “I am committed to bringing forward support
proposals at pace. It is essential that those affected have
clarity as soon as possible.”
The Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co‑operative Society (LNFCS) has been
informed of the Minister's decisions, and officials will continue
to engage closely with stakeholders.
Notes to editors:
- Information on the 2026 eel catch limits and landing sizes
will be published on the DAERA website on Friday 05 June.
- European eels form a single, panmictic (fully mixed)
population across Europe. They drift as larvae (glass eels) from
their spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea to inland freshwaters
such as Lough Neagh. After maturing for 5 to 20 years in
freshwater, they return to the Sargasso Sea as silver eels to
spawn.
- Recruitment from the Sargasso Sea to Europe has fallen to
5–10% of historic levels since the early 1980s across Europe,
leading to its classification as critically endangered. The
significant reductions pre-date the occurrence of cyanobacteria
blooms arising since 2023.
