The actions of the Project
Like all projects financed by the LIFE instrument of the European Community, LIFEEL is structured according to a precise scheme of actions which include: a package of preparatory and preparatory actions for the actual conservation actions, indicated by the letter “A”; a package of conservation actions “C”, which includes all the concrete interventions put in place by the project for the conservation – in this case – of the target species Anguilla; a set of “D” actions to monitor the effectiveness of the conservation actions carried out by the project, for the verification of the actual results achieved; an “E” action group of dissemination, education and involvement of the various target groups and stakeholders identified by the project; an “F” group of actions to manage and coordinate all work and partnership. The actions of the LIFEEL Project:
Start of the Project
With this initial action, each project partner takes the first strategic steps for the consolidation of the partnership, the definition of the working groups, the formation of the overall coordination and management team of the entire project, composed of representatives of all the partners: the so-called “STEERING COMMITTEE”. With this action are also identified and implemented the first of procedures for entrusting the external tasks foreseen and necessary from the first year, such as that related to the Project Manager.

Protocol for the selection of the best breeders

Designing eels passages

Analysis and guidelines to favor the downstream migration to the sea in the Po basin

Plan of priority measures to restore river connectivity for eel

Release of selected silver eels into the wild
Throughout the project, using the selection protocol developed with action A2, Silver eels will be released annually, selected as “most promising” breeding, precisely to increase the reproductive potential of the natural population of eel. This action will be carried out in Italy and Greece. The technical and scientific coordination for the activities in Italy will be carried out by the University of Ferrara with the participation of the University of Bologna, the parks of the Po Veneto delta and Emiliano. In Greece, the action will be led by the Fisheries Research Institute – ELGO DIMITRA and in both countries the involvement of valliculture and fishermen will be crucial.

Development of a captive breeding program for eels larvae and release into the wild

Realization of eels passages for upstream migration of young eels
The passages to allow free up-stream migration, specific to young eels, designed with the A3 action will be carried out in Italy at three different sites of the Po Delta and on the Panaro River and and in Greece, along the River Nesto At the Toxotes Dam. Two ramps that will be built on the Panaro River will be built not only for young eels, but for all fish fauna, thus restoring river connectivity in the stretch of plain and hill.

Implementation of a deterrence system for downstream migration of eels

Monitoring the effectiveness of selected silver eels releases

Monitoring the effectiveness of the passages built in Action C3 and monitoring of the deterrence system

Monitoring of the results of the breeding programme for juvenile stages of eel
Action D3 monitors and evaluates the success of the experimental protocol of production in captivity of the eel developed and implemented with Action C2.

Monitoring of the overall impact of the project
Fundamental action to evaluate the overall success of the Project and to calibrate the progress of the individual actions. It will be carried out throughout the project and will involve all partners.

Information and awareness raising activities
Project communication action, in this action will be implemented various initiatives and products aimed at informing and raising awareness among the population and the different categories of stakeholders about the urgency of taking action for the conservation of the eel and the activities of the project itself.

Technical dissemination and networking
Information, technical and scientific exchange and cooperation with other research groups dealing with similar activities in other parts of the European Union

Project management and After LIFE activities
Management and general coordination of the project ensured through a defined management structure that involves the whole partnership and is favored by the presence of a single Project Manager. In addition, the After LIFE plan will be drawn up and implemented when the project is completed, in order to give continuity to the eel conservation measures undertaken during the Project.

The actions of the Project
Like all projects financed by the LIFE instrument of the European Community, LIFEEL is structured according to a precise scheme of actions which include: a package of preparatory and preparatory actions for the actual conservation actions, indicated by the letter “A”; a package of conservation actions “C”, which includes all the concrete interventions put in place by the project for the conservation – in this case – of the target species Anguilla; a set of “D” actions to monitor the effectiveness of the conservation actions carried out by the project, for the verification of the actual results achieved; an “E” action group of dissemination, education and involvement of the various target groups and stakeholders identified by the project; an “F” group of actions to manage and coordinate all work and partnership. The actions of the LIFEEL Project:
Start of the Project

Protocol for the selection of the best breeders

Designing eels passages

Analysis and guidelines to favor the downstream migration to the sea in the Po basin

Plan of priority measures to restore river connectivity for eel

Release of selected silver eels into the wild

Development of a captive breeding program for eels larvae and release into the wild

Realization of eels passages

Implementation of a deterrence system for downstream migration of eels

Monitoring the effectiveness of selected silver eels releases

Monitoring the effectiveness of the passages built in Action C3 and monitoring of the deterrence system

Monitoring of the results of the breeding programme for juvenile stages of eel

Monitoring of the overall impact of the project

Information and awareness raising activities

Technical dissemination and networking

Project management and After LIFE activities
