Growth of European eel Anguilla anguilla along the southern Baltic coast of Germany and implication for the eel management

Abstract

To detect growth differences of European eel Anguilla anguilla along the southern German Baltic coast 728 yellow eels, with total lengths ranging from 256 to 944 mm and ages ranging from 3 to 15 years were collected from six coastal areas from 2005 to 2009. The estimation of the growth performance was based on the otolith increments. The mean growth rate of the female yellow eels varied from 56 to 62 mm year–1. No significant differences in the mean growth rate were detected between eels from inner and open coastal areas. The overall mean annual increment of eels was estimated at 59 mm year−1. Specific growth rates (SGR) of female yellow eels decreased with increasing age from 0.68 % day−1 in the first year to 0.05 % day−1 in the tenth year. Results indicate that no separation is needed in the development of population models or management initiatives based on the growth performance of eel in inner and open coastal waters of the southern German Baltic coast.