Cross Border Eel Conservation

Belleek is the westernmost settlement in the UK situated on the banks of the River Erne, marking the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Known for its production of porcelain pottery and global exports, Belleek has the historical significance of serving as the final crossing point into the sea before Ballyshannon. The two villages are connected through a water system comprised of the Lough Erne, River Erne, and the Atlantic Ocean and both have hydro stations. Cathaleen's Fall Hyrdostation in Ballyshannon also plays a role in conserving the critically endangered European Eel.

The Irish Border runs through Belleek, intersecting the A46 Highway, the Belleek Bridge, and the Eel Weir. Eel weirs are barriers constructed across rivers to control water flow and trap eels. Originally owned by Catholic monks, the weirs on the Erne were later passed into private ownership through grants. The first record of eel weirs in Belleek dates back to 1836. However, Belleek Falls Eel weir disappeared between 1856 and 1908 due to the Erne Drainage scheme, which aimed to improve agriculture and enhance British influence in Ireland by dredging and constructing embankments.

Corry Dermott also underwent significant reconstruction. By the time the Erne Hydroelectric scheme was introduced in 1950, all the centuries-old weirs had vanished. The current steel weir was installed by the Electricity Supply Board of the Republic of Ireland in 1955. In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement established a cross-border arrangement for inland fisheries. Twelve years later, the Northern Ireland Assembly discussed eel fishing in the Erne and raised concerns about the decline of fishing culture, the eel population, and the economic importance of the weir. Suggestions were made for the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to enhance its "Trap and Transport" system, which facilitates the seaward migration of European Eels past the hydroelectric facilities by collaborating with local fishermen and adopting sustainable methods. However, progress has remained stagnant to this day. To address these issues, the Erne Eel Centre aims to establish a cross-border eel conservation center. Building on the "Trap and Transport", the programme for "Learning" based off the citizen scient monitoring practiced by Zoological Society of London in the River Thames, the center trains local volunteers to monitor eel health and population.

The Erne Eel Centre expands upon the legacy of the weirs and aims to collectively conserve eels through several initiatives. These include a shared border facility to record river levels, an eel learning center, a traditional eelery resembling the weirs in Belleek, a rainwater station in the Northern Ireland center, an ESB pay office, an EU fishery office, and a functional atrium to facilitate eel transport in the Republic of Ireland center.