Due to the listing of the European eel on the Washington Convention list and the decline in the catch of Japanese eel, the demand for juvenile fish (glass eel) for aquaculture is shifting to other species of the eel genus.The source of eel supply was once from Southeast Asia, but in recent years there has been a significant increase in demand for American eel.The American eel, like the Japanese eel, is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.

　This time, the research group obtained customs statistics for countries and regions in East Asia.We investigated the import status of eel fry.As a result, the amount of eel fry imported from the Americas into East Asia rapidly increased from 2004 tons in 2 to 2022 tons in 157, the highest ever.

　The American eel is currently thought to be the most exploited of the 19 fish species in the genus Eel in the world, and is causing IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing, illegal trade, and social problems in countries where it occurs, such as the Caribbean. .On the other hand, countries and regions in East Asia have agreed to keep the amount used for aquaculture of different species of eel, including American eel, at the level of the 2014 fishing season, but if the current import amount is correct, it will significantly exceed that level.

　The research group says that similar to the American eel, other eel species may experience a rapid increase in capture and export, so in order to preserve the species, it is necessary to monitor and manage the genus as a whole.Japan relies on imports for two-thirds of its eel consumption, with American eel also believed to be a large quantity.The report states that Japan is required to play a leading role in realizing the sustainable use of eel species, including the American eel.

Paper information:[Marine Policy] Early warning of an upsurge in international trade in the American Eel