Early warning of an upsurge in international trade in the American Eel

Abstract

According to Customs import data from East Asian countries and territories, imports of Anguilla live eel fry (recruiting juvenile eels also called glass eels or elver) from the Americas increased from 2 t in 2004 to 157 t in 2022, indicating unprecedented demand for the American Eel A. rostrata in the region. In particular, Hong Kong, an important trade hub for live eel fry destined for farming operations in East Asia, reportedly imported 100.6 t, 43.4 t, 12.7 t and 0.2 t of live eel fry from Haiti, Canada, the US, and the Dominican Republic respectively in 2022. Hong Kong’s import data also suggested that almost all live eel fry originating in Haiti were traded via Canada or the US. The high demand for A. rostrata live eel fry has resulted in IUU fishing, illegal trade and social conflicts in some range States. Although regulations to manage fisheries, trade and/or aquaculture are implemented in both A. rostrata range States and East Asian countries/territories, it is vital to examine whether they are sufficient in the context of increased demand and illegal fishing/trade. Monitoring and management targeting the Anguilla genus are also essential as the boom in exploitation and export may occur for other Anguilla spp. due to shortages of live eel fry currently used for farming or improvement of aquaculture techniques.