Wildlife Welfare

Wild Eel Conservation and Welfare

European eel populations have collapsed by over 95% since the 1980s, with welfare implications for a species of declining abundance.

Key Facts

European eels migrate thousands of kilometers to spawn in the Sargasso Sea
Population decline is attributed to barriers, pollution, overfishing, and climate change
Elvers (young eels) are illegally traded as a luxury food item, threatening recovering populations
River restoration removing barriers has increased eel passage at some sites
Eel welfare during slaughter is poorly understood but the species is now included in UK animal welfare legislation

Welfare Considerations

Eel conservation and welfare intersect in a species whose natural history is extraordinary but whose populations are in crisis. Protecting eel passage, reducing mortality from all human sources, and improving understanding of eel sentience are all urgent priorities.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration programs that improve eel passage
Avoid consuming wild-caught European eel given its conservation status
Advocate for enforcement of regulations protecting eels from illegal harvesting