Norfolk poet Ruthie Collins pens The Last Eel on Earth

And now Norfolk writer Ruthie Collins has penned a book, centred around a poem about the humble eel, in order to raise awareness for this critical endangered fish.

The book, called The Last Eel on Earth, was written by the Broads-based author, which includes illustrations by Bronwen Vaughan.

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And an extract from the poem - which was written with Arts Council England funding - has been installed on a board at Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Cley Marshes.

A glass eel - European eel. (Image: Supplied)

Ms Collins said: “When writing The Last Eel on Earth I was inspired by the global journey of the European eel, but shocked to learn how critically endangered it was and how it’s one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world.

“I was also inspired by how loved eels are, despite popular opinion, they inspire people all over the world. 

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“Here in the UK alone they played a huge part in our heritage, were so abundant and key to ecosystems that they were once a form of currency.”

The book recounts how European eels hatch from eggs in the Sargasso Sea off North America. They start their lives as larvae, before changing into translucent ‘glass eels’ at age three and beginning their journey towards Europe. 

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As they enter freshwater networks such as Norfolk’s rivers and broads, they darken to a brown colour and become ‘elvers’ which can even climb onto land.

As they grow older, they change colour again and become yellow eels. Finally, they journey back to the Sargasso Sea to breed and turn into silver eels. 

Ms Collins said the book was being distributed to schools and other educators across Norfolk, and it would also be available for sale.