Home / Environment / Secret Vote Blocks Eel Trade Restrictions
Secret Vote Blocks Eel Trade Restrictions
27 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Top wildlife trade body rejected eel protection proposal in secret ballot.
- Japan, a major eel consumer, fiercely opposed the new trade rules.
- Despite falling populations, eel trade restrictions failed to gain support.
A crucial proposal to implement new protections for all 17 species of eels was narrowly rejected by a secret ballot at a CITES meeting in Uzbekistan. This decision means that eels will not receive enhanced trade restrictions under CITES Appendix II, despite their critically endangered status in many regions and declining global populations attributed to pollution and overfishing.
Japan, a significant importer of eels, led the opposition, labeling the proposal unscientific. Several other nations, including African countries, also voted against it, expressing concerns about the administrative burdens and potential impact on trade regulations. This rejection highlights the complex economic and regulatory pressures surrounding the international trade of wild-caught species.
Despite the setback, discussions on gathering more data and building conservation capacity for eels are ongoing. Experts acknowledge the missed opportunity but also see value in the increased global attention on eel conservation, suggesting that future protections might still be possible as more information becomes available.
