European eels are critically endangered with populations at less than 5% of 1980 levels. Their welfare throughout their complex life history is receiving increasing attention.
Eels migrating through rivers face welfare challenges at each barrier they encounter, with many injured or killed trying to pass turbines and weirs. Those prevented from migrating cannot complete their reproductive destiny. As increasingly recognised sentient animals, the welfare of individual eels during migration, fishing, and slaughter deserves greater consideration.