European eel is on the IUCNIUCN:
International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an international institute for nature and natural resources. It is a partnership with both non-governmental organizations and governments. list of critically endangered species. Since 1980, eel catches have decreased by 75% and glass eel intakes by 99%. The exact cause of this rapid decline is unknown, but water pollution, blockage of waterways and fishing are suspected to be factors.
European eel farming depends on wild-caught glass eels because eels cannot yet reach sexual maturity in captivity. Wild-caught eel scores red on the VISwijzer, which also makes it unsustainable to use it for farming purposes. Regardless of the farming method, this species scores red.
Our research currently shows that the SEGSEG-certification:
The Sustainable Eel Group (SEG) is an international organisation that aims to contribute to the recovery of eels in Europe. The SEG has developed a European standard and certification programme for sustainable eel called the Sustainable Eel Standard (SES).Demonstrating that a fishery or farm is actually making this positive contribution is not easy. In addition, a certification such as this only makes sense if there is no further eel fishing. After all, non-certified parties, who do not have to comply with the SEG rules, would be allowed to continue fishing.-label is not an improvement on existing farming standards.
Want to know more about the European eel? Read here about two projects Good Fish has completed: Toekomst voor paling (Dutch only) and Power to the eel. We have also made an FAQ.