Nuestro último artículo, publicado en Global Ecology and Conservation

 

Assessing the conservation challenges for the European eel through the Delphi technique

N. Mukherjee, A. Clarhäll, H. Scharin, M. Svensson, A.H. McCarthy, J.W. Greenlee, O. Alexa, D.A. Algera, M. Aprahamian, J.F. Asturiano, I. Ben Ammar, M.L. Bianchini, E. Björkvik, J.D. Bolland, D.K. Cairns, B. Cédric, E. Ciccotti, I. Domingos, C.K. Elvidge, S. Eyler, B. Geffroy, N.P. Griffiths, T.F. Grilo, S. Januchowski-Hartley, D. Jellyman, E. Kärgenberg, R. Lagarde, R. Lyach, R. MacNamara, P. Melià, P. Meulenbroek, V.  Nijman, P.A. Nilsson, C. Podda, P. Prouzet, M. Rohtla, N. Sjöberg, F.M. Stein, R. Sühring, H. Svedäng, C. Tamario, T. van der Hammen, P. Verhelst, J. Watz, M.S. Weltersbach, H. Westerberg, H. Wickström, J. Hugé

Abstract

The once abundant European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is currently classified as a Critically Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Although both the European Union (through the 2007 Eel Regulation) and its member states have implemented various conservation actions, many uncertainties remain regarding the actual and anticipated effectiveness of these measures. This study aimed to identify and prioritise the conservation and recovery measures for the European eel, using the expert-based Delphi technique. We conducted a two- round Delphi survey on eel conservation measures (these measures were derived from an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature). The findings highlight the need for establishing a pan-European eel recruitment monitoring programme (to obtain reliable eel population estimates), restoring access to suitable inland habitats by removing migration barriers and improving habitat quality. Experts also emphasized the necessity for a more stringent silver eel escapement target and stronger enforcement of this target. While restocking of eel remains a contentious issue, a set of preconditions could render it conditionally acceptable. This study offers important insights into the areas of consensus and divergence among eel experts in the challenging field of eel conservation. We hope these results strengthen eel management decision-making such that this Critically Endangered species does not become a museum specimen for future generations.

Global Ecology and Conservation 68: e04257. 2026

doi:  10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04257

Participamos en el 13th ISRPF

Entre el 17 y el 22 de mayo se ha celebrado en Cairns (Australia) el 13th International Symposium on the Reproductive Physiology of Fish (13th ISRPF). Nuestra colega, la Dra. Ana Gómez (IATS, CSIC) nos ha representado, presentando el trabajo:

Gonadotropin plasmid gene therapy triggers gametogenesis in male and female European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

C. Cruz-Castellón, C. Zapater, M. Morini, T.S. França, L. Pérez, J.F. Asturiano, A. Gómez

Nuestro último artículo, publicado en Aquaculture Reports

A screening approach for aquaculture breeders based on sperm performance under climate change-related stress 

Thales S. França, Wendy A. González-López, Fátima Fernández-García, Laís P. Borges, Álvaro Belenguer, Paul G. Holhorea, Josep A. Calduch-Giner, Luz Pérez, Alicia Felip, Evaristo L. Mañanós, Ana Gómez, Neil Duncan, Jaume Pérez-Sánchez, Juan F. Asturiano

Abstract

We aimed to develop a screening approach to differentiate among males of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) based on sperm performance under environmental acidification and temperature increase. Sperm samples were selected using a CASA system, and three challenge tests were applied. The first one consisted of sperm activation with artificial seawater (ASW) across a pH range (7.6–8.2). The second assessed activation at species-specific temperatures. The third test evaluated the combined effect of ASW pH (7.8 and 8.2) and different temperatures. Results from the third challenge test revealed differences in sperm performance under environmental variations, allowing differentiation among males. For this purpose, sperm motility values obtained for each sample under species-specific natural environmental conditions were used as references, and variations in motility were compared across challenge conditions. Different levels in the criteria (regarding the different percentages of motility variation) were applied to differentiate among males. The temperature increase affected the sperm kinetic parameters of European sea bass and Senegalese sole, while gilthead seabream sperm showed lower variation under seawater acidification and rising temperatures. The challenge test allowed differentiation among males based on sperm performance under environmental variations and represents a preliminary screening approach. However, these results are based on in vitro conditions and should be interpreted as a first proxy, requiring further validation to establish links with reproductive performance in vivo.

Aquaculture Reports, 48: 103672. 2026

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2026.103672

Participamos en la Feria de los Inventos 2026 de la UPV

 

Un año más hemos participado en la Fira dels Invents, que la Universitat Politècnica de València organizó el pasado 8 de mayo de 2026, en la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias de Valencia, y en la que participamos más de 400 investigadores en 52 estands y talleres.

En esta ocasión, en nuestro estand, titulado “Fauna aquàtica: investigar per a conservar”, pudimos presentar al público asistente (numeroso y variado) varias de nuestras líneas de investigación, ilustradas con algunas de las diferentes especies en las que se centra cada una. 

De esta manera, pudimos dar a conocer las investigaciones que llevamos a cabo en el Proyecto ELASMOREP, sobre la reproducción de elasmobranquios, y los primeros resultados del Proyecto CLIMEDREP sobre reproducción de anguila, pintarroja, fartet y samaruc, e incluso algún gallipato, y sobre los trabajos que incluye el proyecto sobre tortugas marinas y rorcuales.

Gracias a los compañeros/as de la UPV que se han dedicado a la organización del evento durante semanas, y a todos los que os acercasteis a nuestro estand para conocer nuestro trabajo.