Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, is at the heart of a vast interconnected aquatic ecosystem, from its surrounding catchment area to the rivers which flow into it right the way through to the River Bann lower that flows out to the north coast. In recent years, this ecosystem has been changing and adapting. Water clarity has increased, zebra mussels are ever more prolific and many species are having to adjust to these new conditions .
In this video, we meet Robert Rosell, retired Scientist, Kathleen McBride, Chief Executive and Chair of Lough Neagh Fisheries and husband and wife fishing team, Gary McErlain and Anne-Marie McStocker.
Robert Rosell had a fascination with fish since a young age and was employed as a Scientist with Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). He says that Lough Neagh is home to 18–20 fish species, many of which have ancient roots. Native species like the salmon, trout, and the unique Irish pollan, made their way here thousands of years ago, after the last ice age, when only fish capable of migrating from the sea could reach our isolated island. The pollan is especially remarkable, a rare cousin of the Arctic cisco, now found only in five Irish lakes.
The European eel, another ancient migrant, has fed humans for millennia.
Archaeological digs near Coleraine show eel bones dating back over 9,000 years. But today, the species faces unprecedented challenges. Eel numbers entering the Lough have fluctuated since the 1980s, forcing the fishery to rely on imported elvers from elsewhere in Europe. Lough Neagh’s eel fishery is the largest sustainably managed in Europe, under strict regulation and international conservation guidelines.
Sustaining this ecosystem will require collaboration, reduced nutrient inputs, and long-term vision. Commercial fisheries like Lough Neagh’s eel operation remain essential — not only for livelihoods, but as a driving force behind conservation itself.
Fishing on the Lough isn’t just about catching eels, it’s about sustainable management. Lough Neagh eels are protected under Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status , and every part of the fishery is carefully managed through the globally recognised Eel Management Plan. From daily quotas to minimum catch sizes, everything is done to ensure the protection of young eels and while enabling older, mature eels can make their way back to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.
Kathleen McBride of Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative says the impact of ecological change has been challenging, not just for the environment, but for public perception. Rigorous testing, supported by the Food Standards Agency, has confirmed that Lough Neagh’s eels remain healthy and safe to eat alongside the other seasonally caught species.
Despite the challenges, the community remains hopeful. Gary McErlain is a seventh generation fisherman and has been fishing on Lough Neagh since he was 14. He believes pressure needs to be kept on local government for a healthy Lough Neagh.
His wife Anne-Marie loves the community aspect of the Lough and says that although eel fishing is unconventional and intensive, she appreciates seeing a lovely sunset or sunrise when most other people are missing it since they are fast asleep in bed!
Please note: Following the filming of this video, eel fishing was suspended for the 2025 season, due to the catch being unsuitable for the required markets.
The views and opinions on the subject of this video are that of the contributors.
