Key facts
- Japanese eel prices have fallen this summer, easing concerns that arose from a previous EU proposal.
- Japan opposes a proposal to list all eel species under CITES, which would impose stricter trade regulations.
- Eel populations are declining globally due to pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.
- The Japanese eel is classified as endangered by the IUCN.
- Aquaculture in Japan relies on the capture of glass eels, with catches significantly reduced from historical levels.
- A global forum will discuss listing eels under CITES Appendix II, requiring export permits for regulated trade.
Japanese eel prices have seen a notable decrease this summer, a welcome development after fears last year that a European Union proposal could lead to the dish disappearing from menus. However, the international pressure to regulate the trade of eels remains high due to persistent smuggling and the difficulty in distinguishing between species. The issue is set to be discussed at a global forum in Uzbekistan that regulates trade in threatened wildlife.
Eels, known as 'unagi' in Japan, are a popular and traditional dish, especially during the summer months, often consumed for stamina. Despite their popularity, eel populations are declining worldwide, attributed to factors such as pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing. The Japanese eel, along with the American variety, is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while the European eel is considered critically endangered.
Japan is strongly opposed to a proposal by the EU, Panama, and Honduras to list all 17 species of eels under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Such a listing would significantly restrict international trade, requiring export permits. Up to 85 percent of global eel consumption occurs in East Asia, with Japan being a major importer. The country imported nearly three-quarters of the 61,000 tons of eel consumed there last year.
Nearly all eels consumed in Japan are from aquaculture, which depends on the capture or import of glass eels, as they do not reproduce in captivity. Catches of glass eels in Japan have plummeted to less than 10 percent of their 1960s levels. Restaurants have seen prices for eel dishes, such as Unaju, more than double over the past 15 years, reflecting supply fluctuations and the luxury status of the dish.
Japan argues that it has implemented fishing quotas and farming permits. It also points to a study by Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology suggesting that the Japanese eel population has tripled across East Asia since 1990. The country is also cooperating with China, South Korea, and Taiwan on conservation efforts.