Push net fishing seems to be responsible for injuries and post fishing mortality in glass eel in the Vilaine estuary (France) in 2007

Post fishing mortality of the glass eel was monitored in 2007 in the Vilaine estuary. The mortality of the glass eels varied from 2 to 82% (mean 42%) in the two days following the fishing. The mortality of samples collected by hand nets or from the trapping ladder was null. Alterations of the skin mucus were analyzed by the use of Indigo carmine. The mortality was significantly correlated with body injuries, but not to other environmental factors. The presence of a large injury on the body systematically led to the death of the glass eels, and among these dead glass eels, only 3.5% had no external injury. These results are discussed, along with the results from other estuaries, with a view to transport glass eels across Europe, with the objective of restoring the eel stock.