Millions of eels gather off Tasmania
Researchers estimate that up to 2.8 million deep-sea eels congregate at a seamount off the Australian coast.
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A research team has estimated the size of a large gathering of deep-sea eels at a seamount south of Tasmania. The animals appear to gather there to reproduce, but many details about their life cycle remain unknown.
The gathering takes place at Patience Seamount, a seamount in waters south of Tasmania. According to Australian broadcaster ABC, researchers used acoustic measurements and camera footage to estimate that there may be up to 2.8 million animals. The numbers were not counted one animal at a time.
They are so-called basketwork eels, a deep-sea group that lives at great depths. Researchers saw the animals in an area where indications of a breeding site had previously been found. The study is primarily intended to determine the size of the gathering, because such concentrations are difficult to observe directly underwater.
According to ABC, the animals were observed mainly between May and August. By October, most had disappeared. That seasonal pattern fits the idea that the eels travel to the seamount for a specific stage in their life cycle. Researchers found animals that were in breeding condition, but not all stages of reproduction were observed directly.
The estimate is subject to uncertainties. Sonar records densities and movements, but cannot always distinguish species and individual animals perfectly. Camera footage provides more information about appearance and behaviour, but covers only a small part of the area. The researchers therefore refer to a calculated estimate and not an exact count.
The measurements give researchers a clearer picture of the size of this suspected breeding site. If a large part of the population gathers at a limited number of seamounts, the site could be especially vulnerable to fishing, seabed disturbance or other activities. It is not yet clear how the population as a whole is faring.
The study is therefore primarily a new measurement, not evidence that the species is increasing in number. The researchers have described an exceptionally large gathering and laid the groundwork for further research. Longer series of measurements and more knowledge about migration, feeding and breeding success could help determine protective measures.
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Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The size, location and seasonality are based on two recent public sources. The text presents the numbers as an estimate and avoids conclusions about population trends or the full biology of reproduction.
- confirmed Up to 2.8 million eels gather at Patience Seamount. — ABC News describes the research team's estimate. source
- confirmed The animals are located south of Tasmania. — Reported by ABC News and ScienceAlert. source
- confirmed The gathering is probably linked to reproduction. — The sources refer to animals in breeding condition and to the researchers' interpretation. source
- confirmed The numbers are an estimate and not an individual count. — The method is based on acoustic measurements and camera footage. source
Editor's note
The size is a scientific estimate based on acoustics and images, not an individual count. The reports describe indications of reproduction, but not all biological details have been established.Sources
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