Dead Eels Rhine: Mass Wash-Up Explained

Experts are looking for the reason

Hundreds of dead eels washed up on the Rhine in Düsseldorf

There are currently masses of dead eels floating along the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf-Himmelgeist. The fishing association has concrete suspicions about the cause.

Hundreds of dead eels have washed up on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf-Himmelgeist. This emerges from consistent media reports from “WDR” and “Express”. Accordingly, the Rhenish Fisheries Association collected the animals. There are also similar finds in Cologne and Bonn.

Eels are considered highly endangered migratory fish. They are currently migrating from freshwater rivers towards the sea. Hydroelectric power plants have been considered a burden for the animals on this route for years.

According to the fishing association, there is evidence of turbine damage. Biologist Andreas Scharbert from the Rhenish Fisheries Association told WDR: “You have to pass many hydropower sites and often come into contact with turbines.” There is a high probability that the animals died as a result of this contact, says Scharbert.

According to the association, the collected animals should be scientifically examined. According to the experts, results can only be expected in a few months. In the EU project “The Rhine Connects” scientists are currently researching the causes of damage to eels in the Rhine.