Aquatic Animals

Farmed Eel Welfare

European eels are farmed extensively despite being critically endangered in the wild, with significant welfare problems in intensive farming systems.

Key Facts

European eels are critically endangered with populations declining by over 90%
Farmed eels are captured as wild glass eels then raised in intensive systems
Eels are highly sensitive to water quality and crowding stress
Eel farming directly competes with conservation needs for wild glass eels

Welfare Considerations

Farmed eels suffer welfare problems from high-density conditions, poor water quality, and handling stress. The additional concern that farming relies on capture of wild glass eels means that eel farming exacerbates the conservation crisis for critically endangered wild populations. Avoiding eel consumption serves both welfare and conservation goals.

What You Can Do

Avoid consuming farmed eel given the critically endangered wild population status
Support campaigns for catch quotas protecting wild glass eel populations
Advocate for better welfare standards in eel farming operations
Support European eel conservation and habitat restoration programs