Marine & Wildlife

Wild European Eel Crisis and Welfare

The European eel is critically endangered, facing a complex of threats including habitat loss, barriers to migration and overfishing, with individual welfare implications.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by over 90% since the 1970s
Eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea and migrate thousands of kilometres to European rivers
River barriers including weirs and turbines kill migrating eels and block access to feeding grounds
Elver (juvenile eel) fishing for aquaculture stocking raises welfare concerns
The eel's long, complex lifecycle makes population recovery extremely slow

Welfare Considerations

European eel conservation involves welfare considerations at multiple life stages. Reducing mortality at barriers and during handling in fisheries and aquaculture are immediate priorities.

What You Can Do

Support river eel passes and weir removal programmes in your region
Avoid eating European eel from uncertified sources
Report eel sightings to help population monitoring in rivers and estuaries