American Eel Migration from Inland Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico

Project Overview

A team led by Dr. Jeffrey Quinn with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has developed a project using acoustic telemetry to determine migration patterns of American Eels. Adult American Eels migrate from inland rivers to the ocean to reproduce, ending their life cycle. Once the eggs hatch, the young eels make the journey back to the inland rivers.

Eels that originate in rivers located in Arkansas and Louisiana migrate to the Gulf of Mexico to reproduce. This migration pattern of American Eels is understudied. The team is partnering with researchers in the FACT Network and iTag Network to learn about tracking migratory fish and apply that information to their research on American Eels.

The team has implanted over 120 eels with acoustic transmitters that send out a signal. This signal is recorded when a tagged animal passes by any of the 25 receivers in the river system. The main goal is to assess potential impacts of dams on survival of American Eels in Arkansas and Louisiana.

Why this Matters

The American Eel is listed as a “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” in Arkansas because of declining populations. The species was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act on two occasions.

Research is needed to inform management decisions that are compatible with successful American Eel migration from inland rivers to the Gulf of Mexico and Sargasso Sea (area in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Gulf Stream). The team is interested in how eel migrations may be affected by water flows from hydropower dams. To prevent eel mortality and allow eels to safely pass the dams when reservoir levels are low, strategies need to be developed for proposed hydropower facilities.

Lead Organizations

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Baton Rouge Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

Partners

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
• Louisiana State University
• iTag Network

Supported by

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
• U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Baton Rouge Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

Project Status

• Ongoing
  • FACT Project Codes
    • AMEELT (tags)
    • AMEELA (array)

Contact

• Jeff Quinn

Resources & Publications

• Wild Science Webinar: April 2022 – Alligator Sustainability and American Eel Migration
• Arkansas Wildlife – S4.E2, American Eel and Turkeys in Arkansas
• American Eel Research on the Caddo River
• AGFC biologist documents long, strange trip of the American eel in local rivers
• Arkansas Aquatic Diversity Facebook Page