European Eel Welfare: A Species in Crisis

The European eel is critically endangered in the wild, and farmed eels face significant welfare challenges in intensive aquaculture systems.

Key Facts

The European eel population has declined by over 90% since the 1970s
Eels cannot reproduce in captivity and farms rely on wild-caught glass eels as juveniles
Stocking densities in eel farms often exceed 100 kg per cubic metre
Eels are highly sensitive to water quality and handling, with significant stress responses
Japan and China are the primary markets for European eel products

Welfare Considerations

European eel aquaculture creates a welfare dilemma: farming reduces pressure on wild eel populations used for food, but farms source juvenile glass eels from the wild, potentially depleting critically endangered populations. Individual eels in intensive aquaculture face chronic stress from high stocking densities, handling during grading, and impaired ability to perform natural migratory behaviours. Eels show complex physiological responses to capture and confinement. The welfare science for eels is less developed than for salmonids, making species-appropriate management challenging. Conservation and welfare considerations converge in arguments for reduced eel farming and consumption.

What You Can Do

Reduce consumption of eel products given both conservation and welfare concerns
Advocate for sustainable sourcing standards that prevent overharvesting of glass eels
Support European eel restocking programmes that use farmed rather than wild-caught eels
Learn about the complex life cycle and conservation status of the European eel
Support research into welfare standards for eel farming and alternative production systems