By outdoor-nature-child.com Millions of critically endangered eels have been exported from the Severn estuary to Russia this year, sparking concern among conservationists who fear that export quotas might increase in the upcoming year. A recent shipment included a tonne of glass eels—young elvers that swim into European estuaries from the Sargasso Sea each spring—transferred to Kaliningrad, which is double the amount sent to the Russian port last year.
In an interview, Andrew Kerr from the Sustainable Eel Group expressed alarm over the potential ramifications of these exports. He noted that eels sent to Kaliningrad could easily fall victim to smuggling operations heading eastward to Asia, where there’s a significant demand for young eels to supply fish farms. “Trafficking in eels is the largest wildlife crime involving a living creature on the planet,” Kerr stated. He described Kaliningrad as “the most notorious corner of Europe where everything is traded—humans, drugs, guns, and eels.”
Peter Wood of UK Glass Eels, an exporter with over 50 years of experience, argued against a potential ban on exports to Russia, claiming it would devastate the traditional fishery on the River Severn, as other markets for glass eels do not exist. “It would close the fishery—hundreds of years of heritage and culture would be lost,” Wood lamented.
Government scientists had previously deemed the harvestable surplus of glass eels on the River Severn and the River Parrett sustainable until 2026, allowing for legal export. Wood expressed a desire to increase his exports to Kaliningrad, framing them as part of a conservation effort. He stated that these eels are intended for a Russian Ministry of Agriculture-led “restocking” project in the Vistula and Curonian lagoons, which could support eels’ journey back to their breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea. “This is a fantastic project and could become the largest stocking initiative in Europe,” he asserted.
However, when confronted with the allegations that eels could be smuggled to Asia, Wood pushed back, stating, “I don’t think there is any evidence for that at all. This is a truly forward-looking environmental project, and we maintain a level of transparency that is lacking in many European projects.”
Kerr, on the other hand, criticized the practice of exporting eels to the eastern edge of their natural range, arguing that the likelihood of them returning to the Sargasso Sea diminished significantly the further they traveled. “Restocking should be an emergency measure, and it must supplement urgent conservation efforts like restoring wetlands and rivers,” Kerr noted.
Echoing these concerns, author Charles Foster emphasized that exporting critically endangered species to an uncertain fate cannot be justified by tradition or economic reasons. “Between 50 million and 100 million glass eels enter the Severn each year. To recover global populations, we need to ensure that at least 40% of silver eels make their way back out to sea; currently, only 2.3% are making that journey,” he projected.
When asked for clarification on the export applications, a government spokesperson stated that they are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with wildlife trade regulations. They affirmed that Wood’s application was deemed legal and sustainable. “We have robust laws in place to safeguard species such as glass eels, and any illegal wildlife trafficking claims are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly,” they concluded.