Wildlife

Wild European Eel: Decline, Welfare, and Conservation Crisis

European eel populations have collapsed by over 95% and face welfare concerns from migration barriers, parasites, and harvest pressure.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by over 95% since the 1980s
Migration barriers including weirs and sluices block eel passage and cause physical damage
Anguillicoloides crassus parasite, introduced from Asia, damages swimbladders reducing migration success
Farmed eel welfare is poor due to absence of species-specific standards

Welfare Considerations

Eels injured passing through turbines or barriers suffer physical trauma. Parasitised eels struggle to complete their ocean migration, dying progressively from swim bladder damage. River connectivity restoration directly reduces individual welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support Eel passage improvement projects at barriers and weirs
Advocate for mandatory fish passes on all barriers to migration
Avoid eating wild European eel given its critically threatened status