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Why is the number of eels declining worldwide? Revealing the truth behind the serious ecological crisis!
Eels, especially the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), once occupied an integral part of the ecosystem of the North Atlantic waters. However, according to recent research, these mysterious creatures are facing an unprecedented survival crisis. Since the 1970s, the European eel population has plummeted by nearly 90%, putting the species on the list of "critically endangered" and at risk of extinction. What unknown stories are hidden behind this situation?
Multiple threats: ecological challenges
The survival of eels is threatened by overfishing, habitat degradation, and water pollution.
As global demand for eels increases, overfishing has become one of the important factors leading to a sharp decline in their numbers. The construction of hydroelectric dams also hinders their migration, blocking the eels' path from the ocean back to freshwater to spawn. In addition, a parasite called Anguillicola crassus has further weakened their ability to survive. These factors combined have put the originally highly adaptable eels in a survival crisis.
The long-lost mystery of reproduction
The reproductive history of the European eel has long been a mystery. The five stages of their growth have been mistaken for different species, and mating behavior has never been observed in the wild. Initial studies indicated that the eels spawn in the Salgua Sea, nearly 2,000 kilometers from the United States, but few people can witness their reproduction process with their own eyes.
These mysterious creatures seem to have mastered a reproductive strategy that is difficult for humans to explain.
Environmental and human behavior impact
Environmental changes also affect the survival of eels. Natural changes in the North Atlantic, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation and shifts in the Gulf Stream, adjust the eels' reproductive and fertility cycles. Coupled with the impact of industrialization such as continued PCBs pollution, the living space and number of eels have been further reduced. These factors have led to a significant decline in the number of young eels, threatening the balance of the entire ecosystem.
Challenges of sustainable consumption
Despite eel’s central place in culinary culture, the challenge of consuming it as a sustainable food is growing. In 2010, Greenpeace listed the European eel on its "Red List" in the hope of protecting the species by promoting sustainable eel consumption. Reflecting how deeply dependent eels are, there have been few collective commitments to get consumers to reduce their demand for this precious resource.
Reproduction Programs: Hope for the Future
As attention is paid to the European eel population, more and more breeding programs are being put into place. For example, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Aqua) is renewing its attempts to simulate the living conditions of eels for reproduction in the laboratory. Although these efforts have so far failed to complete the full life cycle, researchers have made some progress, successfully hatching fry that survived for up to 140 days.
These plans may be a glimmer of hope for saving the eel species, but can they achieve true ecological recovery?
Conclusion: Our choices and future
The survival crisis of the European eel reminds us to face the choice between conscience and interests. When natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce, can we resist commercial interests, respect the laws of nature and protect them? Faced with the challenges of the current ecological crisis, we cannot ignore the alarm bells brought about by the sharp decline in the number of eels around the world. Future sustainability requires the participation and contribution of everyone, otherwise these mysterious and fascinating creatures will become memories that we can never revisit. Isn’t this a question worthy of our deep thought?
