Farmed Eel Welfare and Declining Populations

European eel populations have collapsed by over 95% due to habitat barriers, overfishing, and pollution, while eel farming raises additional welfare concerns for a species with complex life history needs.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by over 95% since the 1980s and are critically endangered
Eels have a complex life history migrating from freshwater to spawn in the Sargasso Sea
All farmed eels are caught from the wild as glass eels, depleting wild populations further
Eels are slaughtered by methods including salting and smoking while alive
Eel farming systems typically use intensive indoor recirculating systems with high stocking densities
The welfare and conservation case for reducing eel consumption is among the strongest for any farmed fish

Welfare Considerations

European eel welfare and conservation are inseparably linked. Every farmed eel began its life as a wild-caught glass eel, meaning eel farming directly depletes the wild population it depends on. The welfare concerns of intensive eel farming - high stocking density, poor water quality management, and live killing methods - compound the conservation problem. The combined welfare and conservation case for reducing or eliminating eel consumption is among the most compelling for any aquaculture product.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing European eel products given the combination of critical conservation status and welfare concerns
Advocate for eel to be removed from menus at restaurants and food service operations
Support river habitat restoration to improve wild eel passage and population recovery
Choose alternative fish products from more sustainable and welfare-sound sources