Welfare of Eels in Migration and Aquaculture

European and American eels face welfare challenges from barrier-blocked migrations, intensive aquaculture, and harvesting of wild juveniles.

Key Facts

European eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea and migrate thousands of miles to European rivers
Glass eel populations have declined 95% since the 1970s
Eel ladders at dams allow some migration but mortality remains high
Most farmed eels are raised from wild-caught glass eels as captive breeding is not achieved
Eels have long complex lives that cannot be replicated in aquaculture conditions

Welfare Considerations

Eels face welfare challenges throughout their lives from blocked migration routes to intensive aquaculture. Wild eels trapped at dams experience injury and distress attempting to navigate barriers. Glass eels collected from the wild for aquaculture undergo transport and density stress. Farmed eels in intensive systems show chronic stress from inability to express natural burrowing and migrating behaviors. Slaughter methods for eels are poorly standardized. Their welfare deserves more attention given evidence of pain responsiveness.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal programs restoring eel migration routes
Reduce eel consumption given both welfare and conservation concerns
Advocate for eel ladder requirements on all water barriers in eel range
Support research into humane eel aquaculture and slaughter methods