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Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species: Series 3

Saving Species: Series 3: Episode 22: Freshwater Eels and Mitten Crabs

Episode 22

Episode 22: Freshwater Eels and Mitten Crabs

Series 3

Freshwater Eels and Mitten Crabs

BBC Radio 4 - Saving Species, Series 3, Freshwater Eels and Mitten Crabs

Brett Westwood looks at the invasive Chinese mitten crab, plus freshwater eels.

Brett Westwood looks at the invasive Chinese mitten crab, plus challenges faced by both American and European freshwater eels.

The American eel is a freshwater eel that spawns in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, and travels as larvae along the North Atlantic coast to the mouth of American and Canadian rivers before travelling upriver as glass eels to mature in the river over 20-40 years. Then as a silver eel; its adult form, it migrates back down the rivers to return to the Sargasso Sea to start the cycle of life all over again. The Ottawa River in Canada is a very important river for eels as it produces a large number of female eels, so it is essential these adult female eels can get out successfully to the sea. Many hydropower dams for producing electricity on the Ottawa river prevent the eels migrating successfully as adult eels can be killed when they try and pass through the turbines. On this particular river, eel populations have suffered severe declines. New technology and design and suitable passes are helping to increase the chance of eels getting past the dam turbines.

Like the American eel, the adult European eel travels 4000 miles to spawn in the Sargasso Sea and journeys to and from UK rivers to complete its lifecycle. It also faces problems on UK rivers due to sluices, flood defences and other barriers to migration. In Europe, eel populations have also been declining and since 2007 they have been the subject of a European regulation which means that member countries have to put in place eel management plans with targeted efforts to help eel recovery.

Chinese Mitten crabs were first found in the River Thames in the 1930s. As one of the world's 100 worst invasive species it arrived via ballast water in ships that came from the Far East. The crab has distinctive furry hairs on its pincers which is how it gets its name. As the crab spreads through waterways in the UK, it is causing concern as by burying into the base of river banks it is causing erosion.

Also in the programme - news from around the world with our regular news reporter, Kelvin Boot, plus details on how you can use the Open University's iSpot facility.

Presenter: Brett Westwood
Producer: Sheena Duncan
Editor: Julian Hector.

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Series 3

Episode 22: Freshwater Eels and Mitten Crabs

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