Eels Delay Building Work On Portsmouth Carrier Dock

Eels are causing delays to building work on the second aircraft carrier dock in Portsmouth.

Millions of pounds was spent completely rebuilding the jetty at the naval base, into a state-of-the-art facility.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently moored there and soon she is due to be joined by her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales.

Work on her jetty can't go ahead because of eels – specifically young eels, known as elvers.

Dr Tim Ferrero, from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, explained: “Their behaviour is really affected by noise and it affects their ‘predator avoidance behaviour’.

“So if there’s a lot of noise in the background it actually affects how they can escape predators and, ofcourse, a young elver arriving back at Portsmouth Harbour, or anywhere else, is a tasty morsel so they would get a lot more predation – that affects their numbers.” 

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation, who is building the jetty, said: “We worked closely with the Environment Agency to resolve their concerns and enable us to undertake the vital work necessary for the new HMS Prince of Wales without disturbing wildlife, including eels.

“The work has started and is expected to be complete prior to the arrival of the aircraft carrier.”