Aquaculture

Farmed Eel Welfare: European Eel Crisis

The European eel is critically endangered while also being subject to significant aquaculture and fishing pressure, creating acute welfare and conservation tensions.

Key Facts

European eel populations have declined by over 90% since the 1980s
Wild-caught glass eels are used to stock aquaculture facilities since eel breeding in captivity is not commercially viable
Eels show stress responses during handling and poor water quality and are sensitive to crowding
EU regulations restrict glass eel fishing but enforcement and compliance are inconsistent

Welfare Considerations

Farmed European eels face a dual welfare and conservation crisis. The welfare of individual farmed eels is affected by density, water quality, and handling practices. The conservation imperative to protect declining wild populations creates pressure to phase out wild-caught stocking, but no viable alternative exists yet.

What You Can Do

Avoid European eel products given the critical conservation status of wild populations
Support conservation organisations working on European eel recovery
Engage with aquaculture research organisations developing captive eel breeding technology