European eel populations are crashing at an alarming rate, with some regions reporting declines of more than 90% since the 1980s. What was once a thriving species across European waters now teeters on the brink of extinction, threatening both ecosystems and a global sushi industry that prizes the slithery creatures.
In Spain’s Ebro Delta, one of Europe’s most important wetland habitats, scientists have documented population collapses of 90% in lagoons and 80% in marshes over just 14 years. “What is really needed, urgently needed, is to stop the commercial exploitation of the eel,” researcher Miguel Clavero explained, noting that current population levels have fallen below previous worst-case scenarios.
A Continental Crisis
The decline isn’t limited to Spain. Across the Baltic Sea region, adult eel migration has plummeted dramatically, with Swedish east coast catches dropping from 400 tonnes in 2007 to less than 100 tonnes in recent years. “It is probably simply a result of there being fewer eels to catch,” says one researcher. “The sharp decline in eel fry recruitment has impacted all stages of their life cycle. The situation for the eel is critical.”
Bottom trawl surveys paint an even grimmer picture, revealing drastic declines in European eel abundance over the last three decades. Commercial landings have plummeted by approximately 80% since the 1960s, from around 10,000 tons annually to just about 2,000 tons by 2023.
The crisis extends beyond Europe. In Canada, yellow eel populations have shown some stability over the past two decades, but analysis indicates a “100% likelihood of decline” since 1980, with strong evidence suggesting at least a 50% population reduction during that period.
High Stakes, High Prices
Why does this matter? For one, these slippery creatures play crucial ecological roles in their habitats. But there’s also big money involved. Freshwater eels are essential to the global sushi industry, and their scarcity has driven prices to extraordinary heights. In Maine, baby eels (known as elvers) fetched over $1,200 per pound in 2024.
“This measure is vital to strengthen trade monitoring, aid fisheries management, and ensure the species’ long-term survival,” said Susan Lieberman, vice president of international policy for Wildlife Conservation Society, regarding proposed protections that were ultimately defeated.
The latest recruitment data offers little comfort. European eel recruitment remains at critically low levels — just 0.7% of the baseline average in the North Sea area in 2024, with a slightly better but still alarming 14.3% recruitment index for yellow eels.
Multiple Threats
What’s behind this dramatic decline? It’s a perfect storm of pressures. Overfishing stands as perhaps the most direct human impact, but the European Parliament identifies climate change, parasites, and viral infections as significant contributors to the 90-95% population crash since the 1980s.
Commercial glass eel fishery landings have remained relatively stable at around 57 tons annually in recent years, but this masks the broader collapse in overall eel numbers. The trend of reported commercial landings shows a “long-term continuing decline,” according to scientific assessments.
Pollution and migration barriers present additional challenges. Dams and other water management infrastructure block the natural migration paths of eels, which must travel between freshwater and saltwater environments to complete their life cycles. These obstacles have prompted extensive scientific monitoring and management efforts across Europe.
Is there any hope? While one report suggests eel populations may be stabilizing or even increasing in some regions due to conservation efforts, this appears to be the exception rather than the rule. The overwhelming scientific consensus points to a species in crisis.
For now, scientists are calling for drastic measures — including potential fishing bans — to save this mysterious, migratory species before it’s too late. After all, these ancient creatures have been swimming Earth’s waters for millions of years. Whether they’ll still be here in a few decades remains an open question.
