Summary: | 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.
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