[Nagano University Press Release] Collaborative Study on Eel Swimming Performance Using a Flow-Through Chamber: Joint Research Launched by the Institute of Freshwater Biology and Shinshu University’s Iio Laboratory

Nagano University’s Institute of Freshwater Biology and the Iio Laboratory at Shinshu University’s Faculty of Engineering have launched a collaborative study to analyze the swimming cost of eels using a newly developed flow-through chamber. This study is part of a research project supported by the Eel International Resource Unit of the Fisheries Agency of Japan, which focuses on tracking downstream-migrating eels using satellite tags.

The primary aim of the research is to investigate the effects of satellite tag attachment on eels and quantify the energetic cost of swimming. By observing the behavior of eels swimming in the flow-through chamber while equipped with satellite tags, researchers will be able to examine patterns of tag detachment as well as potential medium- to long-term impacts on swimming behavior.

On July 25, 2025, Associate Professor Shoichiro Iio and his team from Shinshu University visited the Institute to install the newly developed flow-through chamber and conduct preliminary swim tests with eels.

The satellite tagging project is led by the Institute of Freshwater Biology at Nagano University and conducted in collaboration with Kyushu University, Shinshu University, Miyazaki Prefecture, and Kumamoto Prefecture, under the support of the Eel International Resource Unit of the Fisheries Agency.

Contact:

Institute of Freshwater Biology, Nagano University

Email: ifb@nagano.ac.jp

Phone: +81-268-22-0594

Contact person: Hiroshi Hakoyama