Aquatic Animals

Wild Eel Welfare and Migration Barriers

European eel populations have declined by over 95%, with migration barriers and pollution causing direct welfare harm to a species that may be capable of suffering.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by 95% since the 1980s
They migrate thousands of kilometres between the Sargasso Sea and European rivers
Turbines at hydroelectric and water abstraction sites kill migrating eels
Eel ladders at weirs are often poorly designed and rarely used by eels
The eel is critically endangered and subject to CITES Appendix II protection

Welfare Considerations

Eels passing through hydroelectric turbines are killed or severely injured, with the proportion killed dependent on turbine design and eel size. Migration barriers prevent natural life cycle completion causing reproductive failure at population level. Individual eels experience severe welfare harm from turbine passage. Improving eel passage at barriers and reducing turbine mortality are the priority welfare interventions for this critically endangered species.

What You Can Do

Support eel pass installation at barriers as priority conservation projects
Advocate for turbine design modifications reducing eel mortality
Participate in eel monitoring surveys tracking population recovery
Report eel sightings to citizen science recording schemes
Support organisations working on eel recovery including the Eel Conservation Charity