Eel Welfare: The Decline of an Ancient Migratory Fish

European and American eels are among the most critically endangered fish on Earth. Their welfare in elver fisheries, aquaculture, and migration barriers intersects with conservation crisis.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by over 95% since the 1980s
Eels undergo one of the most remarkable migrations in nature — spawning in the Sargasso Sea
Glass eels (elvers) are harvested for aquaculture seed stock at enormous commercial value
European eel is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN
River barriers including hydroelectric turbines kill millions of migrating eels annually
Wild eels can live for decades in rivers before undertaking their spawning migration

Welfare Considerations

Elver fishing involves catching tiny juvenile eels in fine-mesh nets and holding them in buckets for sale to aquaculture operations — a stressful process for fragile animals. Farmed eels are kept in recirculating systems at high densities and are the only major commercially farmed fish that cannot yet be bred in captivity, meaning all farmed eels come from wild-caught juveniles. River turbines strike migrating adult eels, causing severe injuries — studies show mortality rates at hydroelectric stations can exceed 50%. Passage facilities designed to help eels bypass turbines are inconsistently installed.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory eel passage facilities at all hydroelectric dams in eel habitat
Avoid consuming eel products given the critical conservation status of the species
Donate to eel conservation organisations working on population monitoring and recovery
Advocate for reduced elver export quotas to allow more wild eels to reach adulthood