Toome Eel Fisheries School Day | Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

The Lough Neagh Fishermen's Cooperative Society recently hosted 70 pupils from local schools for a school's Information Day. The schools, Creggan Primary School and St Oliver Plunkets Primary School both of Toomebridge were welcomed by Cathy Chauhan, Product Development & Marketing Manager of the LNFCS which included an overview of the company, their main products and the up-coming River to Lough Festival and Eel-Eat week.

Pupils from Creggan Primary School and St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School are shown elvers by Conor Dolan from AFBI as part of the Toome Eel Fisheries School Day

Dr Derek Evans from AFBI followed this with a riveting talk about the science of eel biology and the natural history of Lough Neagh. The pupils then had an up close and intimate opportunity to see elvers, hold and examine live eels, and explore a range of biological specimens, such as eel ears (otoliths), eel food and eel heads.

The morning was rounded up with the Slippery Eel Quiz and a chance for some eely art with both children and teachers enjoying their learning experience.