Sustainable Eel Group
Sustainable Eel Group’s Mission:
To accelerate the recovery of the European Eel
Grant Project Goal(s):
To develop and pilot a first version of the SEG (Sustainable Eel Group) sustainability standard for the American Eel in a subsample of the supply chain in the United States by adapting the standard for the European Eel to be suitable for the American Eel.
Immediate Objective(s):
To 1) apply this version of the sustainability standard to the fishery, trade, and farm aspects of the supply chain to test its application, complete assessment reports, and issue certificates; and 2) collate learnings from the process from the project workers and stakeholders and report on improvements and resources required for phased full implementation.
Key Learnings:
Thanks to Sea Pact Funding, SEG was able to progress the project. Sea Pact members were able to help unblock lack of progress or answers on the project through their supply chain engagement. The project was completed and a draft standard was developed and piloted within an American eel supply chain.
The project concluded:
The standard for European Eel can be adapted and applied to the American Eel, and/or supply of European Eel into America.
To do so, will take substantial investment and maintenance, circa $30,000 per year for the next 5 years until it becomes self financing.
It will also depend on the expenditure of circa $12,000 in market research to identify if such investment will be worthwhile.
The pilot project recommends:
1. A stakeholder group should be created from players within the sector to consider the report and advise on next steps. That group should seek to actively expand the network of those interested in eel sustainability in North America (United States and Canada).
2. The standard for European Eel should be adapted to enable the labeling of imported certified European Eel to America. That would enable importers to benefit from that supply chain, and it would also raise awareness of the existing label amongst consumers and the sector in America.
3. The group should consider how best raise approx. $12,000 for market research to identify the demand and opportunities for eel sustainability in North America.
4. The stakeholder group should also consider how it, and any standard, might interact with and influence the reduction of IUU fishing for American glass eels.
Learn more at Sustainable Eel Group
