European and Japanese eels are farmed and consumed in large numbers, but face critical welfare concerns throughout their production cycle including capture of wild glass eels, poor slaughter practices, and high-density holding.
Eel welfare is compromised at multiple stages of production. Wild capture of glass eels from critically endangered European eel stocks raises both conservation and individual welfare concerns — the capture and transport of juvenile eels involves osmotic stress and high mortality rates. Farm conditions with high stocking densities cause chronic stress and escape behaviour indicative of aversion to current conditions. Slaughter by salt immersion or live skinning causes prolonged suffering; eels have a high tolerance for hypoxia and remain conscious longer than most fish under standard slaughter methods. The unique biology of eels — their capacity to breathe air and survive out of water — means welfare challenges extend beyond those typical of other farmed fish. Better slaughter methods including electrical stunning are technically feasible and should be adopted.