Found in the EEZ, coastal and inland waters of the German North and Baltic Seas (Ref. 88716). Considered endangered in Germany in 1994; minimum size restriction of 35 cm in Schleswig-Holstein in 1994 (Ref. 41851). Vulnerable in Schleswig-Holstein in 2002 (Ref. 88198) and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2002 (Ref. 88199); least concern in Lower Saxony in 1993 (Ref. 88200). Reported eel landings from the coastal fishery of the North Sea and Baltic Sea have drammatically declined in recent decades, particluarly in the Schleswig-Holstein region where the 2004 landings were roughly 10% of these in the 1960s (Ref. 82708). Since 1965 DATRAS reported catches of 74 individuals out of 6,290 hauls and 1,842 individuals out of 2,883 hauls taken in or near the German EEZ of the North and Baltic Seas, respectively (Ref. 88760). Reported catches in the North Sea have decreased from 224 t in 1970 to 23.7 t in 2007 (Ref. 89138). Eels for restocking were caught in lower parts of the Elbe and Eider rivers and sold through the “Aalversandstelle” of the German Fisheries Association or directly to lake fishers for restocking of inland waters. This fishery reported catches of 4.1 t in 2004. No catches have been reported since then (Ref. 89138). In Schleswig-Holstein, reported landings are from small enterprises at Schlei and Trave Rivers. Around the island of Fehmarn and in the Lübeck Bight, catches have dramatically decreased during recent years and between 2004 and 2008 two-thirds of all pound net areas have been abandoned as a consequence. In the Mecklenburg-Western Pomeranian part of the Baltic coast a substantial eel fishery still exists, with reported catches declining from 108 t in 2001 to 76 t in 2007 (Ref. 89138). Muscle tissue of eels caught from the Elbe River and tributaries contained high levels of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, exceeding maximum levels allowed by the EC in many samples (Ref. 82706). Recorded from ballast water in commercial vessels with destination port in Germany (Ref. 37896).

National status of threat of freshwater stocks: lower risk/conservation dependent (Ref. 83311).

Human activities in the German North and Baltic Seas that might affect European eels: fisheries, obstruction in rivers, restocking, eutrophication, chemical pollution, construction of cables and pipelines (Ref. 88171).