lough neagh eels

The 4,000 year old tradition of eel fishing is still strong on Lough Neagh, with many local communities dependent upon the 'harvesting' of the eels. The eel's life cycle begins when the tiny elvers set out from the Sargasso Sea on a mammoth journey to the mouth of the River Bann near Coleraine. During the final leg of their journey downstream to Lough Neagh many of the maturing brown eels are caught by local fishermen using traditional methods. The surviving eels remain in the lough and at around 12-14 years old they turn silver and are once more compelled to return to Sargasso Sea to spawn and die. Lough Neagh eels are considered a delicacy and while some are served in local establishments, the majority are exported to London, Germany and Holland.