European eels are critically endangered and face welfare threats in wild fisheries and aquaculture. Understanding their complex life history informs better management and protection.
European eels occupy a unique position in animal welfare discussions: they are critically endangered, cannot be captive-bred, and yet are widely consumed and farmed across Europe and Asia. All farmed eels begin their lives as wild-caught juveniles, meaning commercial farming directly depletes wild populations that are already in crisis. Welfare during handling and transport is compromised by high sensitivity to stress. The conservation case for eliminating eel consumption is compelling: European eel populations cannot recover while commercial exploitation continues. From a welfare perspective, reducing or eliminating eel consumption addresses both individual fish welfare and the population-level welfare of a critically endangered species.