What Factors Explain the Yellow Eel Density in Coastal Waters?

Beside habitat criteria the colonization of yellow eels (A. anguilla) in coastal waters might be also influenced by density driven mechanism. To obtain a better understanding of factors influencing the settlement of eels in coastal waters the density and the size distribution of yellow eels were analyzed along a 180 km transect in southern German Baltic Sea. The fished section ranges from open coastal waters till the estuary of the Odra River providing various habitats for eels during their continental life phase. Using a standardized enclosure fishing system 117 sampling points were fished between 2008 and 2012. Significant higher yellow eel densities were detected in the most exposed area compared to the other stations. Along the fished transect decreasing eel densities were observed with the lowest values in the estuary of the Odra River. Further, the fished station differed regarding the length distribution of the yellow eels. By including habitat related data we aim to identify the main factors responsible for the observed variation of the eel density and length distribution.