Endangered Eels Caught in Tangled Web of Illegal Trafficking

As of October 2025, the illegal trade in endangered European and Japanese eels remains a major challenge, despite years of conservation efforts and law enforcement crackdowns. The eel trafficking industry is estimated to be worth around €2.5 billion annually, making it Europe's biggest wildlife crime.

Authorities have struggled to stem the flow of these critically endangered fish, which are being poached from rivers and smuggled across borders, often ending up on plates in Asia. Over 50% of seized European eels between 2011 and 2018 were destined for China, a country that accounts for 70% of the world's total eel exports.

In response, Europol launched Operation Lake in 2017, leading to 26 arrests and the seizure of 22 tons of glass eels last year. However, traffickers remain one step ahead, exploiting legal loopholes and evolving their smuggling methods, such as hiding eels in suitcases or cargo shipments.

Conservationists fear that without decisive action, the European and Japanese eel populations may face extinction. Some experts believe the only way to stop the trafficking is to completely shut down eel fisheries, while others argue that maintaining a legal trade is crucial to habitat preservation. As the battle continues, the future of these iconic species hangs in the balance.