Eels and Estuaries

Where does a river become sea? And where do eels live? In this episode of Waterlands, Megan McCubbin takes us to the Severn estuary – one of the most dynamic estuarine systems in the world and also one of the most important for wildlife in Britain, in search of eels.

Joining her on this quest, are three eel fanatics, who have come to know and love this slippery fish from three different perspectives.

Michael Malay is an academic and author, whose book about migration and belonging, Late Lights, recalls the first time he held an elver in his hand. He is drawn to estuaries and stories of belonging and remembers how his mind was blown when he first heard the lifecycle of the European eel.

Andy Don explains the elusive nature of the eel and how confounding and fascinating they are from a scientist’s point of view. Once everywhere, all up and down river systems, to the point of being eaten by the poor and used as fertiliser or taxes, the eel is now critically endangered.

And WWT’s Abigail Mckay explains how the Wetlands Bioscience Team is using cutting-edge eDNA technology to find where eels are – and where they are not, in an attempt to help remove barriers and increase their numbers again.

Featuring: Michael Malay, Andy Don and Abi Mackay, Presented by Megan McCubbin

If this episode has inspired you to take action for wetlands or discover more about our rivers, visit wwt.org.uk.

Waterlands is brought to you by WWT. It’s an 18Sixty production, produced by Ellie Richold, mixed by Melvin Rickarby and original music by Noah Bloom.