The Sustainable Eel Group applauds the successful dismantling of a major international trafficking ring involving critically endangered European glass eels, following a complex investigation by French authorities. The operation led to the seizure of 303 kilograms of glass eels—equivalent to around 818,000 individuals—valued at between €1.7 and €2.1 million. These animals were being smuggled via a newly established route through Senegal to supply high-demand markets in eastern Asia. The scale of this illegal operation underscores the pressing need for stronger enforcement and international cooperation in the fight against wildlife crime.
Eight individuals were convicted in March by the Bordeaux criminal court for their roles in the trafficking network. Sentences ranged from six months to five years of firm prison time, with some receiving partially suspended sentences. The group had used shell companies and falsified customs declarations to facilitate the illegal export of glass eels between 2016 and 2021, laundering an estimated 6.8 tonnes—worth over €10 million. This outcome marks a notable shift in how courts are now addressing environmental crime. Just ten years ago, when SEG was founded, the maximum penalty for eel trafficking in France was a mere €10,000 fine—a minor cost compared to the vast profits available in the illegal trade. These recent convictions reflect not only the gravity of the offence but also the growing recognition of wildlife crime as a serious threat to global biodiversity and ecological integrity.
The European eel is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with its population estimated to have declined by as much as 90% in recent decades. SEG recognises that this collapse has been driven primarily by habitat degradation, pollution, and the proliferation of barriers—such as dams and weirs—along its migratory routes. However, overexploitation, and particularly illegal trafficking, have further accelerated the species’ decline. The use of false species declarations in this case to evade export restrictions is a stark reminder of how criminal networks adapt to exploit gaps in enforcement and regulation, often undermining years of conservation work.
‘This verdict is a step in the right direction’, said Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group. ‘It sends a strong message that trafficking in endangered species will no longer be treated lightly. But dismantling one network is just the beginning. The real victory will be restoring eel populations to healthy levels and making the illegal trade obsolete’.
SEG urges renewed international cooperation to strengthen both legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to combat wildlife trafficking more effectively. It also highlights the need for sustained investment in habitat restoration and the sustainable management of eel stocks throughout their European range. Crucially, restoring the eel’s migratory corridors—by removing or adapting dams, unblocking river systems, and rehabilitating wetlands—can dramatically increase survival and recruitment rates. These actions benefit not only the eel but also the broader health and resilience of freshwater ecosystems across the continent.
The individuals prosecuted in this case operated entirely outside of France’s professional fishing organisations and beyond the scope of the SEG Standard. This voluntary certification system now covers approximately 80% of Europe’s legal and traceable glass eel trade, ensuring that fishing and trade are conducted responsibly and transparently. The case illustrates the importance of certified supply chains: when products can be traced from source to destination, illegal actors have far less room to operate. Strengthening systems of compliance and accountability is key to preventing illegally sourced eels from entering global markets, safeguarding not just the species, but also consumer trust and the integrity of conservation policy.
The Sustainable Eel Group remains steadfast in its mission to protect and restore European eel populations. Through a combination of advocacy, research, education, and partnerships with conservation organisations and governments, SEG is working to ensure that future generations can once again witness thriving eel populations in European rivers and wetlands. This latest enforcement victory is a significant milestone—but the path to recovery is long, and sustained effort at every level remains essential.