European and Japanese eel aquaculture produces significant volumes globally, but welfare standards are almost entirely absent and the complex biology of eels creates specific challenges.
Farmed eel welfare is severely compromised by the almost complete absence of welfare standards or research. The combination of critically endangered wild status (requiring wild capture for stock), barren intensive production environments, and inhumane slaughter methods makes eel consumption one of the more welfare-concerning seafood choices available. Until welfare standards are developed and enforced, and until the wild population crisis is addressed through captive breeding advances, eel consumption is difficult to reconcile with animal welfare commitments.