It is the role of science in the triumvirate science-conservation-commercial, to (1) provide information on status and trends in the eel stock, to (2) quantify opportunities and threats to the recovery, and to (3) provide insights into the ongoing processes (biological, socio-economic, societal, etc). SEG aims to achieve this by initiating/supporting research projects, by advancing eel issues in research programmes, and above all, by stimulating the communication between science and others involved in eel recovery.