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Dutch authorities seize 72 kg glass eel at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

2017-04-17. Inspectors from the Dutch Food Safety Authority (NVWA) in collaboration with the Customs seized 36 plastic bags seized by European glass eel on Easter Monday at Schiphol Airport. The water-and elver-filled plastic bags were hidden in 6 suitcases. A Chinese man and woman checked-in the suitcases containing 72 kg of  live glass eels which were destined for mainland China. The market value of the eels is believed to be around € 115,000. The couple was arrested since they did not have the necessary permits and have to be present in court in July. 

The European eel has been protected since 2009, based on the declining stock. Restocking is one of the measures to improve the stocks recovery. Exports of European eel is subject to strict rules and its export is prohibited without a valid CITES permit.

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