Stocking of the Oder and Vistula River Basins with European Eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) as Part of the Implementation of the Eel Management Plan in Poland
The National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI) conducted the largest European eel stocking campaign in years across Poland from 30 March to 20 April 2026. The stocking was carried out using glass eel / montée imported from France and quarantined for approximately 1–2 months in Polish aquaculture facilities.
As part of the project entitled “Stocking of the Oder and Vistula River Basins with European Eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) within the implementation of the Eel Management Plan in Poland,” NMFRI released a total of 6.5 million eel juveniles into Polish waters, distributed across the following water bodies:
- Szczecin Lagoon – 1,200,000 individuals
- Oder River – 320,000 individuals
- Warta River – 240,000 individuals
- Noteć River – 100,000 individuals
- Lakes of Drawa National Park (DPN) – 60,000 individuals
- Coastal lakes in the Oder basin – 280,000 individuals
- Vistula Lagoon – 1,000,000 individuals
- Vistula River – 700,000 individuals
- Narew River – 300,000 individuals
- Bug River – 400,000 individuals
- Masurian lakes – 1,200,000 individuals
- Coastal lakes in the Vistula basin (Słowiński National Park – SPN) – 700,000 individuals
The stocking activities actively involved fishermen, ichthyologists, fishery water users, and representatives of fisheries and social organizations such as the Polish Angling Association (PAA). Representatives of state administration, local authorities, and supervisory services also participated. Institutions supporting, verifying, and overseeing the project included the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture, Regional Water Management Authorities, the State Fisheries Guard, and staff and officers of national parks—Drawa (DPN) and Słowiński (SPN). We would like to express our sincere thanks to all those involved.
The stocking efforts constitute a key element of implementing the Eel Management Plan in Poland, whose primary objective is the restoration of the European eel population. NMFRI activities also include scientific work such as monitoring of living resources, fish health assessments, tagging of juveniles, and analysis of eel chemical composition.
Project managers at NMFRI:
- Dr.Eng. Tomasz Nermer
- M.Eng. Igor Wawrzyniak
The project is implemented under the European Funds for Fisheries 2021–2027 programme:
Priority 1: Supporting sustainable fisheries and the restoration and conservation of aquatic biological resources
Measure 1.11: Environmental protection and reduction of the impact of fisheries on the environment
Objective of the operation:
To contribute to the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.
The operation is co-financed by national public funds and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
Beneficiary: National Marine Fisheries Research Institute (NMFRI)
Grant agreement No.: FEDR.01.11-IP.01-0009/25.2
#EUFunds #EuropeanFunds
#EuropeanFundsForFisheries #fisheries #EMFAF
Total project value: PLN 9,844,749.06
EU contribution: PLN 6,891,324.34
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