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 October 3, 2025
3 October 2025 - Coalition Clean Baltic, together with its Member Organization BUND - Friends of the Earth Germany and the citizens’ initiative “ Lebensraum Vorpommern ”, have launched a petition to stop new oil and gas drilling projects in the Baltic Sea . The petition comes in response to plans to exploit a deposit just 6 km offshore Świnoujście , Poland, in the transboundary waters of the Oder Estuary and Pomeranian Bay. The planned site lies at the heart of NATURA 2000 protected areas , which are vital for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities. Oil and gas extraction in the Baltic Sea poses severe threats to its fragile ecosystems. Industrial activities such as drilling, pipeline construction, and ship traffic risk polluting the water with chemicals, oil leaks, and toxic waste. Underwater noise from pile driving and increased traffic would further degrade marine habitats. These pressures add to the already critical challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, including biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The consequences extend far beyond nature. Local communities rely on a clean and healthy Baltic for tourism, fishing, and quality of life. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure would also undermine Europe’s climate commitments and lock in carbon emissions for decades to come. The petition calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), the European Commission, and the Secretariat of the Espoo Convention to : Stop the plans for oil and gas extraction in the Oder Estuary and the Pomeranian Bay; Ban any new oil and gas extraction across the Baltic Sea; Ensure strong cross-border cooperation and communication amongst all involved states. The petition is open through the WeMove Europe´s platform and can be signed here .
By CCB October 1, 2025
Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coalition, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .