## Eel Populations in Global Decline
Populations of freshwater eels are rapidly decreasing worldwide due to overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change, and the illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists have called for stronger international measures to protect the species, but recent actions at the global level have fallen short.
### Rejected Protections
At the latest CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) meeting, proposals to expand international protections for eels were rejected. Japan, China, and the United States were among the nations that opposed adding more species to the CITES list.
> “These eels are vanishing before our eyes,” said a conservation expert after the vote. “Without stronger global cooperation, the species could face irreversible collapse.”
### Threats and Global Demand
Eels are particularly vulnerable because of their complex life cycle, requiring both freshwater and marine habitats to survive. The high global demand for eel-based dishes, such as unagi in Japan and Europe’s smoked eel, has increased fishing pressure and made recovery more difficult.
Illegal trading networks have further undermined legal conservation efforts, as young eels—known as glass eels—are often trafficked internationally to meet demand at aquaculture farms.
### Calls for Immediate Action
Environmental organizations are urging countries to adopt stricter national management, improve tracking of eel populations, and strengthen anti-poaching enforcement. Scientists warn that if current trends continue, several eel species could move toward extinction within decades.
> “Protecting these migratory fish is not just about saving one species,” researchers emphasize. “It’s about preserving entire aquatic ecosystems that depend on them.”
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*Author’s summary: Eel populations are plummeting worldwide, yet nations like Japan and the US have resisted stronger global protections, leaving the future of these species uncertain.*
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The Associated Press on MSN — 2025-11-28