description European eel Overview
The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a critically endangered catadromous fish that migrates from European rivers to spawn in the Sargasso Sea.
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European eel ranks #4 of 180 in the Eel ranking, behind Ribbon eel, ahead of Dragon moray.
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Why is the European eel critically endangered?
The European eel population has declined drastically due to a combination of overfishing, habitat loss, migration barriers like dams, and climate change. Additionally, they suffer from parasitic infections, notably the introduced swim bladder parasite Anguillicola crassus.
Where do European eels migrate to spawn?
European eels are catadromous, meaning they live in freshwater or coastal rivers but migrate all the way to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce. After spawning, the adults die, and the larvae drift back towards Europe on ocean currents over several months.
What is the lifecycle of a European eel?
The European eel undergoes a complex metamorphosis from a transparent larva (leptocephalus) to a glass eel, then into an elver, and finally into a yellow eel. When it is time to reproduce, it undergoes a final transformation into a silver eel before migrating to the Sargasso Sea.
Can you fish for European eels legally?
Commercial fishing for European eels is heavily restricted under European Union regulations due to their critically endangered status. Many countries have implemented strict eel management plans and bans on exports outside the EU to help the species recover.
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