Greater Sandeel

Identification

The greater sand eel is the largest sand eel in the North Sea, reaching up to 40 cm. The body is slender and silvery with a greenish-blue back. Distinctive is a dark spot on either side of the snout. The lower jaw protrudes well beyond the upper.

Ecology

Lives in large schools above sandy substrates and burrows into sand at night and when threatened. Feeds on plankton, fish larvae, and small fry. A crucial prey species in the North Sea ecosystem: seabirds, cod, whiting, porpoises, and seals all depend on sand eels.

In the Netherlands

The greater sand eel is common in the North Sea and ecologically important. The commercial sand eel fishery (mainly by Denmark) is controversial due to its impact on seabird populations. Used as bait fish in sea fishing.