Population dynamics of European eels Anguilla anguilla was investigated within a small dammed catchment of Britanny (the Fremur) over a 8-years period (from 1996 to 2003). On this period, the migrant (recruitment and escapement) and sedentary (stock) fractions were quantified and characterized (stage, length and age). The mortality rate observed was important (53.2%) probably because of the high abundance (0.40 eels.m-2) and the habitatloss. Each year, the number of potentially emigrant eels, based on an analysis of the sedentary population fraction, was predicted. The observed number was strongly dependent on environmental conditions that were overruled by dam management. Finally, influence of growth site on production of both number and quality of... |