Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Eel Welfare: A Neglected Issue

Farmed eels present unique welfare challenges due to their unusual life history, high stress sensitivity and the welfare implications of capture from wild stocks for aquaculture.

Key Facts

European eels are critically endangered yet farmed extensively in Asia and Europe
Glass eels (juvenile stage) are captured from the wild because eels cannot yet be bred in captivity at scale
Eels are highly sensitive to stress and deteriorate rapidly under poor water quality conditions
Slaughter methods for eels often involve gassing with CO2 or ice slurry without prior stunning
The welfare of both wild-caught juvenile eels and farmed adults is poorly regulated

Welfare Considerations

Eel farming combines welfare harms at multiple life stages: wild capture stress, intensive holding conditions and poorly controlled slaughter. The endangered status of European eels adds conservation urgency. Investment in closed-cycle eel aquaculture (breeding in captivity) would reduce wild capture impacts but faces significant scientific and economic barriers.

What You Can Do

Avoid consuming farmed eel products until welfare and conservation standards improve
Support eel conservation and river restoration efforts
Learn about the remarkable life history of European eels and their conservation status
Advocate for closed-cycle eel aquaculture research funding