The Environment Agency issued a permit for stocking eels in Estonia's inland waters. This spring, 1.3 million young eels were allowed to be introduced. The number of eels depends on the amount of money obtained from fishing license fees. The stocking of glass eels was supported by the Environmental Investment Center with 123,000 euros.
Eels can currently be stocked in Lake Võrtsjärv and smaller lakes such as Lake Kuremaa, Lake Saadjärv, Lake Kaiavere, and Lake Vagula. From France, 408 kilograms of glass eels will be brought to Lake Võrtsjärv. In one kilogram, there are approximately 2000-3000 eel fry.
Eels need to be stocked to maintain the fishing stock. In Estonia, eels do not reproduce naturally after the construction of the Narva dam. Next spring, the state does not plan to provide funds for stocking eels in small lakes, as it is not economically beneficial.
The state does not find that eels stocked in small lakes pay back their costs. Fishermen in Lake Võrtsjärv already cover 90% of the stocking costs. Now, the state must decide whether they will start covering 100% of the costs.