The European eel is one of the most mysterious species of fish in the world. Their migration and spawning life cycles are one of nature’s greatest unsolved mysteries. Today commercial fishing, pumping plants, dams, weirs, hydropower stations and habitat pollution pose the biggest threat to the eel’s survival, making it a critically endangered species. Watch this video and find out more about tagging research on eel in Belgium.

Animal tracking, the practice of monitoring and studying animal movements and behaviour in their natural environment from a distance can be performed across various spatial and temporal scales using a suite of tools and technologies. Animal tracking has yielded key information about the biology and ecology of organisms, and afforded useful insights for conservation frameworks and regulations. It also allows to model distribution and forecast the effects of anthropogenic activities on animals.

Coordination: Karen Rappé and Pieterjan Verhelst, Animation Steve Bridger, Voice: Bryan Kopta (EN), Production: LifeWatch Belgium, Executive producer: VLIZ Oostende – Belgium.