Wild Eel Population Decline Welfare

European eel populations have declined by over 95% since the 1970s - their extraordinary lifecycle faces multiple welfare threats.

Key Facts

European eels have declined by over 95% over the past 50 years - classified as Critically Endangered
They have a remarkable lifecycle: breeding in the Sargasso Sea then migrating to European rivers to grow
Juvenile glass eels arrive at European river mouths from across the Atlantic
Barriers to migration, water abstraction, and fishing pressure threaten eel welfare and survival
Elver passes and eel-friendly sluice management improve upstream migration success
Climate change is affecting ocean current patterns that transport larvae from the Sargasso Sea

Welfare Considerations

Eel welfare involves extraordinary migration challenges across their entire lifecycle. Each barrier to migration that prevents eels from reaching upstream growth habitat is a welfare-damaging event that reduces lifetime fitness. River connectivity restoration through barrier removal and fish passage provision directly improves eel welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Environment Agency eel conservation initiatives
Advocate for eel passage provision at all new and existing river barriers
Report eel sightings to monitoring schemes to contribute population data
Support sustainable seafood choices avoiding critically endangered wild eel
Donate to river trust barrier removal projects in rivers with eel populations