Eel populations are falling, and new protections were defeated. Japan and the US opposed them
November 28, 2025
Valuable eels are in decline all over the world, leading to a new push for restrictions on trade to try to help stave off extinction. Freshwater eels are critically important for the worldwide sushi industry, and some species have declined by more than 90% since the 1980s. Scientists say the eels have succumbed to a combination of dams, pollution, habitat loss, climate change and overfishing. The loss of eels motivated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to consider new restrictions to protect the wriggling fish. Members met in Uzbekistan this week and the proposed changes were shot down.