Demand EU to stop eel fishing

CCB • August 18, 2015

28 environmental organizations demand that the EU Commission will stop all eel fishing in Europe along with other needed action to halt the human induced eel mortality until the stock has reached sustainable levels.

Even though the European Eel (Anguilla Anguilla) is listed as ´critically endangered´ by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the EU still allows extensive eel fishing in Europe.

In an open letter to Environmental Commissioner Karmenu Vella, a total of 28 environmental organizations, including Coalition Clean Baltic and its member organizations Danish Society for Nature Conservation and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, strongly criticize the EU for allowing eel fisheries. Another major human induced threat to eels are hydroelectric dams the eels get trapped and killed in.

Demand a complete fishing stop

In the letter, the organizations point out the paradox in that if the European eel had been included in EU´s list of endangered species in Annex II or Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive, fishing of eel would have been terminated long ago. The organizations recommend a complete stop for both recreational and commercial fishing of eel until the stock has recovered.

Over the past 25 years the population has decreased by 90 percent. In 2007, the scientific advice from ICES was to minimize all human activity threatening the European eel. In 2008, the eel was listed as critically endangered by IUCN and since 2007 it has been listed on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix II. Meaning that, exports outside of Europe have been banned due to concern over the decline in recruitment and stocks, however, trade continues within the EU and from non-EU countries within its range to other non-EU countries.

A unique life cycle

The European eel is a unique specie with a special life cycle. Its journey starts in the Sargasso Sea, in about 2000 km wide elliptic zone, from where it floats with the Gulf Stream up to Europe. As an example, the distance from Sweden to the Sargasso Sea is 7000 km! At this larval stage the eel is sexually undifferentiated and called “glass eel”. At later stage when it has entered the European river mouths and migrates upstream in fresh water the eel is first called “elvers” and later “yellow eel”. At about 5-20 years of age the eel, now called “silver eel”, has reached sexual maturity and leaves the fresh waters in Europe to migrate all the way back to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.  Adults are assumed to die after spawning. 1

CLICK HERE to read the Open Letter to EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella.

Below is a list of the 28 environmental organizations standing behind the letter:

Austria:
UMWELTDACHVERBAND
EU UMWELTBÜRO

Belgium
SEA FIRST FOUNDATION

Croatia:
SUNCE – ASSOCIATION FOR NATURE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Cyprus:
FEDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS OF CYPRUS

Denmark:
DANISH SOCIETY FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
WWF DENMARK
DYRENES BESKYTELSE
NATURHISTORISK FORENING FOR NORDSJÆLLAND
DANMARKS SPORTSFISKERFORBUND

EU:
COALITION CLEAN BALTIC
GREENPEACE EU

Ireland:
AN TAISCE – THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR IRELAND
IRISH SEAL SACUNTARY

Luxemburg:
LUXEMBURG – NATUR & ËMWELT

The Netherlands:
DE FAUNABESCHERMING
DIEREN BESCHERMING
WWF NETHERLANDS
WISSENBESCHERMING
GOOD FISH FOUNDATION
SPORTVISSERIJ NEDERLAND
NORTH SEA FOUNDATION

Portugal:
SCIAENA
LPN – LIGA PARA A PROTECÇÃO DA NATUREZA

Sweden:
SWEDISH SOCIETY FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

Great Britain:
MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
BUGLIFE

USA:
MARINE CONSERVATION INSTITUTE

Interested to know more about the European Eel? Read HELCOM´s species information sheet.

By CCB February 24, 2026
Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 28 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden. About the Role Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) is seeking a Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover) to join its International Secretariat and contribute substantively to regional and EU-level marine advocacy, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. The Marine Policy Officer will support the implementation of EU and international marine environmental policy frameworks — notably the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) . All work is grounded in the promotion of ecosystem-based management. The role includes close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat team as well as CCB member organisations to deliver policy initiatives, advocacy actions, and strategic programme objectives. The Marine Policy Officer will also support the International Secretariat in fundraising, with a focus on the EU LIFE operational grant application. Key Responsibilities Policy & Advocacy Support the implementation of CCB’s strategic plan on marine biodiversity policy. Contribute to marine policy advocacy at EU and at Baltic Sea regional levels (e.g. HELCOM, EU Commission expert groups). Provide input to the implementation and revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Collect evidence and views to provide NGO inputs to the forthcoming EU Ocean Act and related initiatives. Support the implementation of the Helsinki Convention and Baltic Sea Action Plan. Engage in the revision processes related to the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Programme & Grant Delivery Provide critical support in fundraising, i.e. project proposal development, especially for securing core grant funding (e.g. for the EU LIFE Programme and potentially Horizon programme). Contribute to CCB´s project management, implementation and reporting activities for various projects. Coordination & Monitoring Closely coordinate marine biodiversity policy work with CCB member organisations. Monitor global, EU, and regional marine policy developments. Liaise with partner NGOs and civil society organisations. Communications & Policy Products Draft position papers, policy briefings, consultation inputs and technical reports on relevant files. Support communications and outreach on marine policy issues. Help organise workshops, conferences, and stakeholder events. Represent CCB in policy dialogues, expert groups, and stakeholder forums at the EU and Baltic Sea level. Cross-organisational Support within the Secretariat and its members Contribute to other CCB thematic working areas as required. Profile We are seeking a policy professional who is: Solutions-oriented and adaptable Experienced in advocacy or campaigning Collaborative and team-driven Passionate about marine conservation Organised, diplomatic, and stakeholder-confident Required Qualifications & Experience Demonstrable professional experience in marine or environmental policy. Working knowledge of key EU frameworks, particularly the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Knowledge of Helcom BSAP is an asset. Postgraduate qualification in marine science, ecology, conservation, water management, or related discipline with substantial marine focus. Eligibility to work and travel within the EU (citizenship or valid permit) with residency in Sweden. Excellent written and spoken English. CCB also welcomes applicants from broader environmental policy/law backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant knowledge. Desirable Skills Experience within the NGO or civil society sector preferred. Advocacy or campaigning experience within the EU, the Baltic Sea or international environmental policy processes. Working knowledge of a Baltic Sea region language (e.g. Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).
By CCB February 19, 2026
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