EELRIC

Eels have a complex life-cycle. As larva they drift on the oceanic currents to brackish estuaries and freshwater river systems. After a long growth phase they migrate back to the spawning grounds to reproduce and die afterwards. This migration pattern is characteristic for all 16 species of the Anguilla genus such as the European eel A. anguilla that migrates 6,000 km to the Sargasso Sea, and the Japanese eel A. japonica that migrates 4,000 km to the Mariana Ridge. Eel is highly appreciated as consumption fish around the globe and market demand is high e.g. for smoked eels in North-West Europe, for Kabayaki in Japan. Eel fisheries and aquaculture answer to this need. As fatty migrant, eel is among the fish with highest levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Primary location: Wageningen Netherlands