Eel Task Team

At the first scientific meeting, opinions were exchanged and information on scientific knowledge of eels, including the Japanese eel, was shared. As a result, in order to strengthen and coordinate research activities on Japanese eel, the following terms of reference for scientific activities and joint research were agreed: (1) to establish close relationships among researchers in Northeast Asia and to collect and organize long-term time series data to understand and predict resource trends, and (2) to exchange information on technologies to clarify migration routes to spawning grounds and to analyze and evaluate route data.

Following this agreement, two task teams were established:

• Task Team 1: To build close relationships among scientists in Northeast Asia and to collect and organize long-term time series data on Japanese eel in order to understand and predict stock trends in the region (Team Leader Leanne Faulks)

• Task Team 2: To exchange information on tracking technologies to track the migration routes of Japanese eel and other related eels from rivers to spawning grounds in Northeast Asia and other regions, and to analyze and evaluate tracking data (Team Leader Hiroshi Hakoyama)

These task teams have just started to establish international collaboration and strengthen research activities on Japanese eel and related eels through workshops and other events. The first workshop was held online on February 13 and 17, 2023, and the second workshop was held online on April 19, 2024. As of 2024, there are 43 members (expert members, observers, liaisons, and secretariat), and researchers from a wide range of Asia-Pacific regions form teams (Japan, China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and Australia).