Fisheries that harvest octopuses, urchins, and crab may remove prey resources that wolf-eel depend upon" (Jaglio 6). There were no wolf-eel present when surveyed. Trawler nets, which many fishermen use, are particularly damaging because they destroy rocky reefs where wolf eels reside. Conservationists and scientists suggest using alternative method of logline traps which won't damage the reefs.Īccording to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife "the wolf eel appears to be a species that is sensitive to harvest and may be affected by competition with Pacific giant octopus and with fisheries During 1999, one area in the harvest zone was surveyed that once contained a large wolf-eel colony. Because wolf eels make their home in rocky reefs their homes are susceptible to damage from storms, pollution, trawler nets and other factors. Human pollution can affect wolf eel habitat, degrading it and making it uninhabitable. Wolf eels are often caught in crab traps or fishing nets. They do this by hiding in small gaps and crevices and building some kind of den to house the freakish infants and female during birth. Upon maturing, they migrate to deeper water to breed. About two thirds were speared by skin divers and most of the others were caught by skiff fishermen. The Wolf Eel is a very large and very freaky looking fish that lives and hides in the rocky reefs and the stony bottoms. Crey's article discusses a breeding and release program for VPA.Ī survey from 1957-1961 stated that sport fishermen took an estimated 200 wolf eels a year. Diet Carnivore Type Anguilliform, Actinopterygii, Teleost Common Name Eel Number Of Species 800 Eel Physical Characteristics Color Grey Black Multi-colored Skin Type Smooth Top Speed 20 mph Lifespan 30-70 years Weight 30g (1.1oz)-25kg (55lbs) Length 5cm (2. But I was diving at my favorite dive spot which in a couple months will be turned into a permanent 'no take zone' so I decided to spear anything that moved. I wouldn't normally consider it a species to target for hunting, and I haven't seen many of them anyways. ![]() ![]() There have been efforts to restore wolf populations in some areas. I never thought to try eating a wolf eel before. Local populations of wolf eels have been wiped out in waters of many metropolitan areas as a consequence of fishermen and aquarium collectors as well as habitat destruction, pollution and accidental catching once eliminated from a site wolf eels will not return naturally (Creys).
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