European Eel Welfare in Aquaculture and Wild Fisheries

European eels are critically endangered and are farmed and fished using methods that raise serious welfare concerns.

Key Facts

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is critically endangered — populations have declined by over 90% since the 1980s
Eels are one of the most commonly consumed fish in Japan, where they are culturally significant (unagi)
Farmed eels are primarily raised from wild-caught glass eels — aquaculture cannot currently close the life cycle
Eels are electro-stunned before slaughter in some markets but are often killed by live skinning or salt stunning in others
Salt stunning involves placing live eels in concentrated salt solution — a method causing significant distress
Eel aquaculture depends on the capture of wild juvenile eels, directly threatening the species' already depleted population

Welfare Considerations

Eel welfare involves intersecting conservation and individual animal welfare concerns. The European eel's critical endangerment means that farming it requires capturing wild juveniles, further depleting an already collapsed wild population. Individual welfare during farming is compromised by crowded holding tanks, handling stress, and inhumane slaughter methods including live skinning and salt stunning. Electrical stunning before killing reduces acute suffering but is not universally applied. The clearest welfare improvement available is eliminating salt stunning and live processing in favor of electrical stunning followed by rapid killing. The conservation case for reducing or eliminating European eel consumption is strong and aligns with individual welfare concerns.

What You Can Do

Avoid consuming European eel (unagi) products — the species is critically endangered and welfare in production is poor
Choose alternative seafood options that do not threaten critically endangered species
Support EU regulations restricting glass eel capture to protect wild eel populations
Donate to eel conservation research and habitat restoration programs