Essay --

American Eel Gatlin Edge WFB- 440, Feb 11, 2014, Rodriguez The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is South Carolinas only catadromous species. Unlike anadromous species that migrate into the rivers of South Carolina from the ocean to spawn and then return to sea, the American Eel does just the opposite. It is naturally found in rivers and streams along the Atlantic coast and migrates to the open ocean to spawn. Little work has been done on this species which leaves much to be discovered about this unique specimen. Generally females are larger in size and can grow up to two times the size of males and also grow at a faster rate (Geographic effects on American eel 323). The American Eel has become a species of interest on the east coast of America due to its new found economic importance. Due to the decline of the European Eel (Anguilla Anguilla) oversea markets have begun to take interest in buying eels from the United States (Georgia Tidal Creek 821). Studies have shown that the average home range for these eels is 1.04 hectares (Georgia Tidal Creek 823). Most age classes of eels wi...