Resource status of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) in the Pearl River Estuary

We set the sampling sties along the Pearl River Estuary from south Niwan Bridge, Jiwan Strict, Zhuhai, to Golden Beach tourist area, the eastern of Sanzhao airport to investigate the fishing status of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and inter-annual variation of eel fishing, the amount of resources and so on. The body length of eel collected was about 50 mm, transparent willow-like, between willow eel and glass eel; the estimated amount of eel resources in Zhuhai was about 901.22104 ind. during 2011~2012, 893.88104 ind. during 2012~2013 and 3 487.35104 ind. during 2013~2014. Comparedwith the previous two years, a significant increase was foundin the amount of resources during 2013~2014. Besides, from 2011 to 2014, the time of peak amount occurrence appeared backward year by year. The study helps to understand the dynamics of eel in Zhuhai, providing basic datafor protection of estuarine fishery resources. However, due to the limited monitoring years, the final variation still needs further observation.