Language
Country/Area
No result found
Unraveling the mysteries of European eels: How do they push the limits of reproduction?
The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a fascinating fish whose life history has remained a mystery for thousands of years. Although the fish goes through several stages as it grows, reproduction has never been observed in the wild.
The European eel develops in five stages: leptocephalus, glass eel, elver, yellow eel and silver eel. At each different life stage, eels face different challenges and threats.
Ecology and Distribution
European eels mainly live in waters from nearshore to inland. Once they reproduce, their young will swim to Europe in a long migration of 318 days. The eels' food sources include worms, fish, mollusks and crustaceans.
Endangered status
The European eel is considered a "critically endangered" species, with data showing its numbers have fallen by about 90 percent since the 1970s. Major threats include overfishing, parasites, and natural and man-made barriers such as hydroelectric dams.
In recent years, several initiatives such as TRAFFIC have been launched to control and reverse the decline of this species by introducing traceability and legality systems.
The call for sustainable consumption
The value of eels as food cannot be ignored, but as demand increases, the species is facing increasing fishing pressure. In 2010, Greenpeace International included European eels on its "Seafood Red List" to promote sustainable consumption.
Reproduction Project: A Ray of Hope
With the challenges facing the survival of the European eel, many breeding programs have been launched with the aim of successfully breeding them in captivity. The DTU Aqua Research Institute in Denmark has already achieved some success with this expertise and has even been able to extend the survival time of young fish.
One of the experiments showed that the survival rate of young fish could be improved by providing specific nutrients. This provides new directions for future plans to breed eels.
Unique life journey
The life story of the European eel is full of mystery. From the deep sea to inland waters, they face various challenges. Before silver eels are ready to return to the Sahara Sea to reproduce, they must undergo various physiological transformations, including enlarged eyes and changes in body color.
Commercial fishing status
Although the United States has currently imposed restrictions on the export of European eels, its eel market still faces many challenges. The sustainability of eel farming around the world has been impacted by the decline in wild eel populations, forcing the industry to seek alternatives.
The future of eel farming still hangs by a thread, with continued development of the industry dependent on the protection of these waters and restoration of their natural breeding environments.
Against this background, we can't help but wonder, how can we protect this mysterious and precious species to avoid its disappearance while meeting human needs?
