The future of Japanese eels, which are a traditional delicacy for Japanese, is in danger. There is the possibility that the International Union for Conservation of Nature may put them on its red list of species feared to be on the verge of extinction.
The Japanese Environment Ministry in February put Japanese eels on its own red list. According to data for the IUCN's use, the catch of mature Japanese eels has decreased by about 90 percent in the past 30 years. The situation makes it clear that the catch of Japanese eels must be restricted. Consumers must reduce consumption of eels. The Japanese should realize that they have caught and eaten too many eels.
Most eels eaten by Japanese are grown from fries in culture ponds. These fries have to be caught in nature. Artificial breeding of eels is far from a commercial application. Given this situation, resource control is indispensable. There is no doubt that indiscriminate catching of eels has put them on the verge of extinction. The Fisheries Agency's approach, which relies too much on the initiatives of eel industry people, is lukewarm.