More than 300 researchers have endorsed a manifesto urging Spanish and European authorities to halt oil extraction and safeguard the European eel from extinction. To stop the species’ decline, scientists argue that a complete ban on eel fishing is essential for survival.
The European eel (anguilla anguilla) was once extremely abundant across Europe and North Africa. By around 1980 its numbers plummeted, falling by over 90 percent. The species is affected at every stage of its intricate life cycle, and detection remains challenging throughout its existence.
The sharp drop in eel populations is mirrored by a shrinking distribution, with areas in more than 80 percent of the Iberian Peninsula showing signs of decline over the last century.
The Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identifies the European eel as Critically Endangered, the highest risk category before extinction. This designation underscores the urgency of protective measures.
In terms of conservation priority, the European eel is more threatened than several other well-known species, including the Iberian imperial eagle, Iberian lynx, giant panda, and the mountain gorilla. Yet eel fishing, trade, and consumption continue without broad public awareness of the species’ precarious state.
No sustainable use is acceptable
Experts warn that any use of the eel is unsustainable. Sustained commercial activity around the species does not guarantee recovery because multiple factors contribute to its collapse. Continuing exploitation essentially guarantees that recovery will not occur, according to Miguel Clavero of the Doñana Biological Station – CSIC.
The European Council on Agriculture and Fisheries has imposed restrictions on the fishing of various species. A scientist notes ongoing disregard for this guidance, urging a prohibition on eel exploitation.
Since 2000, recommendations have urged minimizing catches and bringing them to as close to zero as possible. In 2022 and 2023, ICES called for a total ban covering all sizes, all seasons, all habitats, and all purposes.
Goal: zero capture
Spain plays a pivotal role in European councils through its Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, shaping policy on eel exploitation limits.
Clavero emphasizes that Spain has an opportunity to shift its stance and commit to saving the eel from extinction. The document, supported by researchers, argues that zero catches would also help curb illegal fishing and the illicit eel trade, which is a major wildlife crime financially motivated by high profits.
The conservation of the European eel also falls within the remit of the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Issues. Science supports including the European eel in Spain’s Catalog of Endangered Species. The status could meet the ministry’s criteria for listing, perhaps indicating a Critical Status for the species.
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The environmental department’s contact information has been withheld for privacy and safety reasons.