European eels are critically endangered with populations declined by over 90%; their welfare during migration and management interventions requires consideration.
European eel welfare during the migration phase is most severely threatened by turbine strikes at hydropower facilities, causing dismemberment and death. Barriers that force eels to migrate past hydropower installations kill significant proportions of the migrating population. The welfare significance is compounded by the eels' already critically endangered status - each individual lost represents a conservation as well as welfare failure. Improving bypass channels and implementing turbine shutdowns during peak migration periods directly addresses both welfare and conservation priorities.