The UMF, one of the key actors in the French eel industry, has given its opinion, which can be summed up as follows: Good, but can do better!

While the UMF welcomes the efforts made by the DEB (Directorate for Water and Biodiversity) and the DGAMPA (Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture) to draw up the French report on the implementation of the Eel Regulation 1100/2007, it notes that there are significant shortcomings to ensure that this report is fully useful:

• Should include a socio-economic analysis of the consequences of management measures on all operators in the eel sector;
• Should specify the limits of biomass assessment methods and call for a reassessment of the objectives to be achieved;
• Should explain the need to step up the efforts made by other economic actors (hydro-electricity companies, wastewater treatment plants, etc.) that have an impact on eel habitats.