EELS 

Eels are migratory fish that spend part of their lives in freshwater rivers or brackish waters, and which return to the sea to spawn.  

There are several species of eels in the world; most are critically-endangered (IUCN’s red list). Eel ‘farms’ are simply ‘grow-out’ farms: glass eels (fry) are taken from the wild to be grown in captivity until they are large enough to be marketed. This method further weakens stocks, which have already collapsed.  

Overfishing, illegal fishing, and degradation of the natural environment (through man-made dams, pollution, etc.) threaten many species of eel. It is imperative to stop its consumption. 

EUROPEAN EEL   

Species: Anguilla anguilla 

Habitat: North-East Atlantic,  European and African continental waters, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea  

Sustainability Rating: Red

THE NORTH AMERICAN EEL    

Species: Anguilla rostrata 

Habitat: Northwest to west central Atlantic, from Greenland along the Atlantic coast of Canada and the United States to Panama, 
and across much of the southern Antilles to Trinidad  

Sustainability Rating: Red

JAPANESE EEL   

Species: Anguilla japonica 

Habitat: Asia, from Japan to the East China Sea, Taiwan, Korea, China and the northern Philippines. The spawning grounds of this species are probably in the western Mariana Islands.

Sustainability Rating: Red

THE AUSTRALIAN EEL 

Species: Anguilla australis 

Habitat: South-West Pacific, east coast of Australia and New Zealand, extending north to New Caledonia

Sustainability Rating: Red

SALMON   

Populations of different species of wild salmon have become significantly more rare throughout the world due to intensive fishing, changes to their habitats and climate change. Some Pacific salmon stocks are doing a little better than others, while Atlantic salmon stocks have collapsed. 

COD  

A species with high market value, cod (Gadus morhua) is the subject of intensive fishing. European countries are responsible for 95% of global landings of this species.  

TUNA 

There is great diversity within tuna. They are oceanic migratory species, some of which are tropical. 

Issues facing tuna stocks:  

• Fishing techniques: avoid tuna caught using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) 
• Size: avoid juvenile tuna 
• The status of stocks according to origins: check the origins and ensure the good condition of the stock. 

To be consumed occasionally: these large predators do not reproduce quickly and concentrate pollutants which accumulate along the food chain. 

SHRIMP 

Shrimp farming is responsible for massive destruction of mangroves (ecosystems  essential for maintaining coastal biodiversity), sterilization of occupied areas, pollution and waste of fresh water (a rare resource in many tropical regions). In some cases, this industry is the cause of profound social imbalances, including low-paid child labor. However, environmental awareness is growing and some sources come from responsibly-managed farms.