Concern expressed by fishermen, fish culturists and scientists alike on the decline in recruitment and fishery yields of the eel led to the establishment of a working group, EC Concerted Action AIR A94-1939, to pursue a project entitled Enhancement of the European eel fishery and conservation of the species. Scientists from ten countries have contributed to the current report and its predecessor, published in 1996. The reports present an account of the eel fishery together with scientific data of significance in control of the stocks and make recommendations for future management. Funder: Marine Institute