UK request for an independent review of the scientific basis for a UK non-detriment finding (NDF) for the international trade in European eel, seen in relation to CITES legislation

ICES provides three independent reviews of the scientific basis (two papers provided with the request) for a UK nondetriment finding (NDF) for the international trade in European eel. Key findings are summarized below.
The request is not concerned with the relevancy of specific NDFs, but rather with determining the scientific thoroughness of the papers presented. The reviews all conclude that the scientific work is of a high standard, given the availability of data and knowledge gaps for this species. The systems examined are relatively data rich and rigorous analyses have been applied. Any potential positive NDF found for the fisheries and associated trade described here should not be viewed as a green light for all European eel fisheries across the stock range.
Recommendations for improvements/modifications are made, including some fundamental remarks, e.g. regarding the relation of the NDF proposal to the general ICES advice on eel.