News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Study Estimates Up to 2.8 Million Eels Near Tasmania

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

A team led by Australia's science agency CSIRO has estimated the size of an extraordinary gathering of basketwork eels near Patience Seamount, an underwater mountain off Tasmania. The researchers say it may contain as many as 2.8 million eels.

They combined sound surveys with underwater camera images to distinguish the eels from other fish. The study provides evidence that the eels gather to reproduce, although why they choose this particular location remains unclear.

Source: ABC News Australia, 2026-10-28. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-10-28/australia-biggest-eel-ball-2-8-million-off-tasmania/107309716

Read and practise

1. What did researchers estimate about the known eel gathering?

   1. Its maximum possible size
   2. The exact number of eels at all times
   3. How many places the eels visit

2. Why did the team combine sound surveys with camera images?

   1. To distinguish eels from other fish
   2. To learn why the eels choose this location
   3. To confirm that each eel had reproduced

3. What remains unclear about the eels?

   1. How sound surveys work
   2. Why they choose this particular location
   3. Which methods the researchers combined

Your turn

Explain how the researchers studied the eels and name one question that remains.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/tasmania-eels-patience-seamount-estimate-october-2026/level-2/