THE River Dee Trust enlisted the help of one of its education funders, CNOOC International, for a pilot project to build and deploy eel ropes on tributaries of the Dee.
CNOOC also took the opportunity to present the Trust with a cheque for £27,000 for its education programme.
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European eel numbers have declined significantly on the Dee and more widely, falling by more than 90% since the 1990s, making them a critically endangered species. A favourite food of otters, ospreys and herons, they are incredibly important for the wider biodiversity of the river.
The European eel undertakes one of the most impressive migrations in nature, travelling some 4000 miles from the Sargasso Sea – but face barriers such as waterfalls and dams in the final phase of their journey.
The Trust’s team and CNOOC volunteers attracted quite an audience taking over the outdoor space at CNOOC’s offices to construct the ropes from sustainable, biodegradable materials including straw and twine, and using traditional twisting techniques. They were then deployed on pilot sites at Crathes and Loch of Skene.
Eel ropes enable the juvenile eels to navigate obstacles that are blocking their migration to nursery grounds, by climbing through the straw and avoiding predation from birds and animals.
Keilidh Ewan, Education Officer at the Trust said: The team from CNOOC was fantastic, putting engineering expertise to work identifying improvements in the construction process and ways to make the ropes more robust. It was also a great team building opportunity and a successful pilot that we are looking forward to launching ahead of the eel migration season next year.
“The vital funds provided by CNOOC as a sponsor of our education programme will be used to engage with community groups and local schools across the catchment – firing young minds on STEM subjects relating to the river.
2We are looking forward to building on our relationship with CNOOC and continuing to use the energy and expertise of its teams across our volunteering opportunities where they really make a difference.
Sine Gabbott, Team Lead, Environment at CNOOC International added: “The River Dee Trust is one of our long-term community partners and we were delighted to support their environmental conservation and restoration work once again on this unique project.
“CNOOC’s volunteers thoroughly enjoyed making the eel ropes and then deploying them in the river, knowing that our small contribution will make a positive impact on the endangered European Eel species.”
