Farmed Eel Welfare: Glass Eel Trade and Aquaculture Challenges

European and Japanese eel farming depends on wild-caught glass eels that are raised in intensive aquaculture systems, raising welfare and sustainability concerns across the supply chain.

Key Facts

European eels are Critically Endangered — wild populations have declined by over 95% since the 1980s
Eel aquaculture is entirely dependent on wild-caught glass eels as captive breeding has not been achieved commercially
Eels are held at very high densities in recirculating aquaculture systems during grow-out
Slaughter methods for eels including gutting while alive and salt baths cause significant potential suffering
Japan consumes the vast majority of global farmed eel production, primarily as kabayaki

Welfare Considerations

Farmed eel welfare is inseparable from sustainability — the species is endangered, captive breeding remains technically out of reach, and every farmed eel began life as a wild juvenile. High-density farming causes chronic stress and increased disease susceptibility. Electrical stunning before slaughter is increasingly being adopted as a humane improvement. Reducing eel consumption, particularly of unsustainably sourced species, addresses both welfare and conservation simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Avoid consuming European eel products given the Critically Endangered status of wild populations
Choose Japanese unagi from certified sustainable sources if consuming eel
Support research into eel aquaculture welfare improvements and captive breeding programs
Advocate for stronger international trade controls on wild-caught glass eel to protect wild populations