title: Tracking the migratory success of stocked European eels Anguilla anguilla in the Baltic Sea.
abstract: To investigate the extent to which European silver eels Anguilla anguilla, originating from stocking programmes in the Baltic Sea tributaries, effectively contribute to the spawning stock, two hundred and seventy-four formerly stocked A. anguilla. emigrating from the Schwentine River near Kiel, Germany, were tagged with T-Bar anchor tags. A total of 29 Anguilla spp. were recaptured (c. 11%) up to 14 months after release. Stocking history of recaptured A. anguilla. was confirmed by otolith microchemistry. Recapture locations were concentrated around the outlet of the Baltic Sea (Danish Belt Sea) with 62% of all recaptures reported here or in the Kattegat. Recaptured Anguilla spp. showed a reduction in both L(T) and mass (mean ± s.d. = -1.5 ± 0.9 cm and -125.3 ± 50.1 g) while average total fat content remained in the order of values previously reported as high enough to provide energy resources to allow successful completion of the spawning migration (mean ± s.d. = 28.4 ± 4.4%). The documented mean rate of travel (0.8 km day(-1)), however, indicated a delay in the target-oriented migration that might be interpreted as a delayed initial migration phase of orientation towards the exit of the Baltic Sea.
authors: Helmoltz-Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR), Kiel, Germany.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Prigge
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Marohn
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Hanel
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000811:Anguilla / Q000502:physiology*; D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D049628:Body Size; D005398:Fisheries; D005858:Germany; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D045483:Rivers