Guidance

Eel and elver passes: design and build

Guidance for fish passes where existing obstructions prevent the safe passage of eel and elver travelling up stream.

Applies to England

Documents

[Withdrawn] Eel manual: overview

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Stocking European eels

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Monitoring eel and elver populations

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[Withdrawn] Eel and elver passes: manual for the design and implementation of passage solutions

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

[Withdrawn] Screening at intakes and outfalls: measures to protect eels

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Details

The manual includes criteria for prioritising sites and information on climbing substrates. It considers eel passage solutions at weirs, tidal flap gates and sluices.

Find out when you may need to fit an eel pass or screen to a water structure.

Contact the Environment Agency if you need a copy of updated technical guidance on:

  • design and implementation of passage solutions for eel and elver
  • screening at intakes and outfalls: measures to protect eel

You can also ask to speak to your local Environment Agency Fisheries Officer if you need advice on the Eels (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 and providing safe passage for eels.

Updates to this page

Published 1 February 2011
Last updated 6 June 2023 + show all updates
  1. The Eel manual overview has been withdrawn from GOV.UK because it’s out of date. Added information about how to request updated versions of the technical guidance we've withdrawn, and on how to ask for advice from your local Environment Agency Fisheries Officer.

  2. 'Screening at intakes and outfalls: measures to protect eels' has been withdrawn from GOV.UK because it’s out of date. Added information about how to request updated versions of the technical guidance we've withdrawn, and on how to ask for advice from your local Environment Agency Fisheries Officer.

  3. Eel & elver passes: manual for the design & implementation of passage solutions has been withdrawn from GOV.UK because it’s out of date.

  4. New link to guidance on when you may need to install an eel pass or eel screen to a water structure.

  5. First published.

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