Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 (named day). It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Eels: Conservation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 83877 on Eels: Conservation, what research and development projects her Department are supporting through the allocated £350,000 to improve eel management and conservation; and over what time period will this funding be spent; and how this level of funding compares to budgets for similar purposes.

Answer

This is a devolved matter and therefore the response relates to England only.

Defra’s funding will support three eel management and conservation projects for delivery in 2026:

  • Developing silver eel escapement models to better estimate how many eels migrate to the sea, using survey results from the River Frome
  • Research to optimise the trap and transport of silver eels from landlocked water bodies and assess the success of onward migration of trap and transported eels
  • Upgrading and extending the life of satellite tags to track silver eels closer to their spawning grounds

Due to the nature of research in the aquatic environment it is not possible to meaningfully compare costs, but all projects are assessed by Defra to ensure policy priorities will be delivered and demonstrate value for money.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
101014
Session
2024-26
Related items
Eels: Conservation
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Conservation Finance Eels
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk