European eels are critically endangered and increasingly farmed to reduce pressure on wild populations, but welfare standards for eel aquaculture are among the least developed of any major farmed species.
Eel aquaculture exists in a welfare and conservation paradox - farming aims to reduce pressure on wild populations, but all farmed eels still require wild-caught juveniles. Individual eels in intensive systems face chronic stress from crowding and handling. Developing eel-specific welfare standards and researching captive breeding to eliminate dependence on wild-caught juveniles are both urgent priorities.