Use methods to trace the source of catch

Overall effectiveness category No evidence found (no assessment)
Number of studies: 0
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Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
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not assessed

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Background information and definitions

Anguillid eel populations around the world are at risk of collapse due to overfishing, with illegal harvesting and trade exacerbating the problem (Kaifu et al. 2019, Williamson et al. 2023). It can be difficult to trace where eels are imported from, as import records often have no corresponding export records (Shiraishi & Crook 2015). Implementing methods to trace the origin of eel catches can increase transparency and ensure that only legally caught eels enter the market. This approach could deter illegal fishing, as fishers would be aware that illicit catches could be detected and traced.

One method is DNA testing, which can distinguish eel populations based on their geographic origin, helping to verify the legality of the catch. One study used this technique on processed eel products, revealing that there are more European eels Anguilla anguilla in East Asian eel products than in Europe, and more Japanese eels Anguilla japonica in UK products than in East Asia (Goymer et al. 2023).

^{Kaifu K., Stein K., Dekker W., Walker N., Dolloff A.C., Steele K., Aguirre A.A., Nijman V., Siriwat P. & Sasal P. (2019) Global exploitation of freshwater eels (genus Anguilla). Pages 376–422 in: Coulson P. & Don A. (eds.) Eel Biology, Monitoring, Management, Culture and Exploitation: Proceedings of the First International Eel Science Symposium, 5M Publishing, Sheffield. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800629097.0023}

^{Goymer A., Steele K., Jenkins F., Burgess G., Andrews L., Baumgartner N., Gubili C. & Griffiths A.M. (2023) For R-eel?! Investigating international sales of critically endangered species in freshwater eel products with DNA barcoding. Food Control, 150, 109752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109752}

^{Shiraishi H. & Crook V. (2015) Eel market dynamics: an analysis of Anguilla production, trade and consumption in East Asia. TRAFFIC. Tokyo, JAPAN. https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/2482/eel_market_dynamics_report.pdf}

^{Williamson M.J., Pike C., Gollock M., Jacoby D.M. & Piper A.T. (2023) Anguillid eels. Current Biology, 33, R888–R893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.044}

Key messages

We found no studies that evaluated the effects of using methods to trace the source of catch on anguillid eel populations in inland habitats.

‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this intervention during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore, we have no evidence to indicate whether or not the intervention has any desirable or harmful effects.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Please cite as:

Cutts V., Berthinussen A., Reynolds S.A., Clarhäll A., Land M., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2024) Eel Conservation in Inland Habitats: Global evidence for the effects of actions to conserve anguillid eels. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Eel Conservation in Inland Habitats

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Category
Use methods to trace the source of catch Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Introduce certification schemes for responsibly sourced eel products Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Limit, cease or prohibit commercial sale of eels Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link