Eel-infested waters send swimmers running

Are eels a menace to swimmers? Some would say yes, after numerous reports of people being chased away from the water by packs of slippery eels.

In Venice, California, for example, a swimmer was recently surrounded and harassed by a gang of eels estimated at around 100. "They were coming out of the water by the millions," said the swimmer. "It was unbelievable."

And it's not just Venice. Eel invasions have been reported all over the world, from Spain to Australia. In some cases, the eels have even caused injuries.

So why are eels suddenly so attracted to swimming areas? No one is really sure. Some experts believe that changing water temperatures or increased pollution might be causing the eels to migrate into new areas. Others suggest that the eels might be searching for food – or even mates – in these new locations.

Whatever the reason, it's clear that eels can be a nuisance to swimmers. If you're heading to the beach this summer, be warned: keep an eye out for those slimy critters!

European eel found in Illinois river

In a surprising discovery, a European eel was recently found in the Illinois river. Given that the eel is not native to North America, it's unclear how the fish ended up in the waters of Illinois. Some experts believe that the eel may have been released into the river by an aquarium or pet store, while others think that it may have escaped from a fish farm.

European eels are a popular culinary item in many parts of the world, so it's possible that someone caught the fish and decided to release it into the river instead of cooking it.Whatever the case may be, this discovery highlights the importance of being vigilant about releasing exotic creatures into our ecosystems.

It's important to remember that every creature in our environment plays a role in maintaining balance, and when we introduce non-native species, we can disrupt that balance. So if you ever come across an unfamiliar animal, please don't release it into the wild - contact your local authorities instead.

Eels elude capture by scientists in tracking study

For a study on the migration patterns of eels, scientists used tracking devices implanted in the creatures, but were unsuccessful in capturing any specimens.

The three-year study was conducted by a team of European researchers in collaboration with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JSTA). The aim of the study was to learn more about the long-distance migrations of European eels, which have been found to travel from their homes in European rivers all the way to the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Eels are known for their mysterious migrations, and scientists have long sought to unravel their secrets. To do this, they implanted tracking devices into 114 eels in six rivers in France and Germany. The hope was that some of the eels would make it all the way to the Sargasso Sea and be captured there, so that the data from their tracking devices could be analyzed.

However, despite deploying multiple traps and nets along the route from Europe to the Sargasso Sea, none of the114 eels were ever caught. This suggests that they may be making a round-trip journey of more than 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles), which is much longer than previously thought.

The findings of this study are important for understanding not just the migration patterns of eels, but also how these creatures contribute to ocean ecosystems. Eels are an important source of food for many marine animals, and their movements play a role in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.

The results of this study provide insights into one of nature's most enigmatic creatures and underscore how much we still don't know about them. Thanks to new technologies like implanted tracking devices, scientists are gradually unraveling some of these mysteries, but there is still much left to learn about these amazing fish.

Anglers catch record eel in Hampshire

A team of anglers fishing in the Hampshire Avon have broken the UK eel fishing record after catching a specimen weighing in at 5.96kg.

The eel, which is over 2ft long, was caught by Stuart Chamberlin and his friends as they were taking part in an organised fishing event near Hannington. The previous UK record was held by angler Tony Davies who caught a 5.68kg eel in 2008.

Speaking after his record-breaking catch, Chamberlin said: "We couldn't quite believe it when we saw the size of it on the scales. It was a fantastic feeling to break the record and something we'll never forget."

Eels are a common target for anglers due to their size and fighting ability. They can grow up to 3ft long and weigh up to 10kg, although most specimens caught are much smaller than the one landed by Chamberlin and his friends.

The eel is also a valuable commodity, with a kilo fetching upwards of £50 on the black market. This has resulted in illegal poaching becoming an issue in recent years, with eels being targeted for their skin and flesh.

In response to this, Defra has introduced new measures to protect eels, including a ban on commercial eel fishing and restrictions on how many eels people can possess.

Giant eel discovered in Oregon

In perhaps a bit of a surprise to Oregonians, a giant eel was discovered in the state's Willamette River. The eel, which is estimated to measure between 3 and 4 feet in length, was seen by fishermen near the river's banks.

This isn't the first time that a giant eel has been discovered in Oregon waters; in 2008, an eel measuring over 5 feet in length was caught in the Coos River. It's possible that this latest discovery is simply a result of increased awareness and attention to these creatures, as there are likely many more out there that have yet to be discovered.

Eels are generally thought of as ocean creatures, but they can also be found in freshwater habitats like rivers and lakes. They are known for their long bodies and snake-like heads and are typically gray or black in color.

Eels spend most of their lives in water, but they do migrate to land at times to mate or lay eggs. They are believed to be capable of living for up to 30 years, making them one of the longest-lived fish species out there.

So why are they called "giant" eels? Well, while they may not reach lengths comparable to those of some other types of fish (like sharks), they can get pretty big compared to other types of eels. And frankly, any fish that measures 3-4 feet long is pretty impressive!

Despite their imposing size, giant eels pose no danger to humans and generally aren't considered harmful predators either. In fact, they mostly eat small fish and invertebrates. So if you're lucky enough to spot one while fishing or swimming in Oregon's rivers and lakes, don't be afraid – just enjoy this amazing sight!