Wildlife

European Eel Welfare During Migration

European eels undertake one of the most remarkable migrations in the animal kingdom, travelling thousands of kilometres to spawn in the Sargasso Sea after decades in European rivers, facing welfare threats throughout.

Key Facts

European eels migrate 6,000-8,000 km from European rivers to spawn in the Sargasso Sea
They fast throughout their oceanic migration, relying entirely on stored energy
River barriers including hydroelectric turbines kill an estimated 30-40% of downstream migrating eels
Parasitic swim bladder worm Anguillicola crassus introduced from Asia has infected over 90% of European eels

Welfare Considerations

European eel welfare is compromised by multiple threats throughout their remarkable life cycle. Swim bladder parasite infection reduces swimming capacity and increases energy costs during the oceanic migration. Turbine mortality kills individuals after years of growth. The combination of threats contributes to the >95% population decline. Each individual eel that fails to reach spawning grounds represents a welfare failure alongside the conservation loss.

What You Can Do

Support eel pass installation at hydroelectric and other river barriers
Oppose planned hydroelectric installations on rivers with significant eel populations
Support the European Eel Recovery Plan and national eel management plan implementation
Contribute sightings of eels to Environment Agency and national eel monitoring surveys