Wildlife

Wild European Eel Crisis and Welfare

The critically endangered status of European eels and welfare implications of population collapse and conservation fishing.

Key Facts

European eel populations have collapsed to around 10% of 1970s levels
Migration barriers, overfishing, parasites, and pollution are all contributing causes
Critically endangered status has led to fishing restrictions in several countries
Stocking programs using glass eels to restock rivers are controversial
Eels show behavioral responses consistent with sentience, adding welfare significance to conservation

Welfare Considerations

European eel population collapse means that billions of individual eels that would have lived have been lost to declining habitat and overfishing. The collapse also causes welfare harm through degraded habitats and stocking stress. Eel welfare and conservation are inseparable.

What You Can Do

Support eel passage improvement on rivers to restore migration routes
Avoid eating European eel which is critically endangered
Advocate for stronger enforcement of eel fishing restrictions