Farmed Eel Welfare and Aquaculture Concerns

European and Japanese eels are widely farmed and consumed, but their complex biology and welfare needs are rarely considered in production systems.

Key Facts

European eels (Anguilla anguilla) are critically endangered; most farmed eels are caught as glass eels from the wild
Eels are slaughtered by methods including live salt abrasion, decapitation and asphyxiation — all potentially painful
Eels possess nociceptors and show avoidance responses to noxious stimuli consistent with pain experience
High stocking densities in eel farms cause chronic stress, skin damage and increased disease susceptibility
The failure to close the eel life cycle in captivity means farming depends entirely on wild-caught juveniles

Welfare Considerations

Farmed eels face welfare challenges at every stage of production. Glass eels captured from rivers are transported in poor conditions with high mortality. High-density tank farming causes chronic stress and disease. Slaughter methods are among the least humane in aquaculture. The industry also drives wild eel population decline by removing juveniles before they can reproduce. Welfare reform must address slaughter methods, stocking density, and the urgent need to cease reliance on wild-caught juveniles.

What You Can Do

Reduce or eliminate consumption of farmed eel products
Support advocacy for eel welfare standards and wild population protection
Ask restaurants and retailers about the sourcing of eel products
Donate to organisations working on sustainable and humane aquaculture reform