I have been told that south of Amesbury, down towards Salisbury, There is an eel trap on the Avon, not only does it trap eels but also salmon and sea trout, therefore no salmon or sea trout can get up stream, Does anyone know if this is so,? ...

Strange one, cos eel traps generally, are designed to catch silver eels going back to sea. ie going downstream! Would have to see it to be sure.
regards
bert

There was a rumour of an existing eel trap being run to specifically catch smolt on the Avon (in the area you mention) but I don't know how true it is. In any case this was some time ago. The trap exists and is it a very well sited structure and well built. Come to think of it, and giving the game away to those more local who are in the know, the actual trap has appeared on television. It is not operated or owned by the EA.

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Thank you gentlemen, so it may or may not be there, I know the EA change things overnight, assuming it's the EA who are responsible for these things...

I thought eels, now silver eels ready for the sea, migrated down on dark nights during August, September and October? Pointless setting the traps outside those periods.

I've a photo of an Eel Buck array (can't scan it until Mon) - it looks like on such commercial stations, refered to as fixed engines in regulations and bye laws, the individual traps can be raised and lowered at will.

Smolts migrate during April and May - the first spate in May is said to help wash the last of them seawards.

I understand the EU are worried about eel stocks and propose European legislation, perhaps such remaining traps, often protected by old and obscure Parliamentary acts will be declared illegal in the near future?

Please see my edit above ^^^

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Thank you Warren, do you know if the trap is still there ?...

I am not sure the trap is still there; I haven't been back since '91. Google Earth shows the site in shadow.

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