Order No. 536 approving the plan for the management of the European eel (anguilla anguilla) for the period 2019-2024.

This Order approves the plan for the management of the European eel (anguilla anguilla), for the period 2019-2024. The implementation of this plan will be under the competence of the Directorate of Agricultural Development, Food Safety and Rural Development Programmes, the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Services. The European eel has been classified since 2009 as a "critically endangered species" based on the ICES (International Council for Sea Exploration). The European Union, with the adoption of EC Regulation 1100/2007, has obliged member states that use eel stocks to reduce fishing efforts by 25% and to develop a management plan for eels. Moreover, since 2009 the European eel has also been included in Annex II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Wild Flora (CITES). This regulation creates a framework for the protection and sustainable use of the European eel stocks for the Anguilla anguilla species in the waters of the European Union, on coastal lagoons, in estuaries, and in rivers communicating with the inland waters of member states flowing into the seas. ICES III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX or in the Mediterranean Sea areas.
The approval of this management plan for Albania is necessary for several reasons: 1. The nationally raised eel stock is declining over the last 10 years for each water basin 2. The European Union is a common stock and coordination is needed between all European countries. 3. In the framework of the approximation of management measures with the European Union. Albanian legislation envisages a minimum dimension of occupying the eel at 25cm.