American Eel Population in 'Dramatic Decline': Animal May be Listed as Threatened

First Posted: Sep 15, 2015 09:44 AM EDT

There may be a new animal joining the endangered species list: the American eel. An environmental advocacy group is pushing to have the U.S. federal government list the American eel as threatened, giving the fish protections that would limit fishermen's ability to catch them.

The American eel is in steep decline across its range. This decline started in the mid-1980s and has continued as its habitat has declined and as it's faced other threats. In fact, it's estimated that the American eel has lost about 84 percent of its habitat, mostly due to the operation and the construction of dams.

The eel is up against other threats, too. Overfishing and disease in particular have devastated eel population across the United States.

"In our time this species has been going through a dramatic decline with very little regulatory oversight," said Rob Roy Ramey, a science advisor to the petitioners, in an interview with Detroit News. "They're slimy, they're odd looking, they're eels. They're not warm and fuzzy and charismatic-this is like the passenger pigeon of our time."

Currently, it's still up in the air whether or not American eels will be listed as an endangered species. In addition, there is some push back from fishermen. However, stricter regulations will likely allow eel populations to recover so that fishing can, eventually, continue in the future.

Critically Endangered Black-Footed Ferret Kits Born Using Frozen Sperm

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

TagsEndangered species, Endangered, American Eel, Animals, Animal, Fishing Gear, fish, Conservation