June 12, 2014 — Rich with vitamins and minerals, eels are credited by many Japanese people for helping them stay in good health and maintain their skin complexion. But eel stocks have plummeted rapidly in recent years and the country is now facing losing the traditional delicacy, which is typically enjoyed in the hot and humid summer.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature added the Japanese eel to its list of endangered species on Wednesday, citing “loss of habitat, overfishing, barriers to migration, pollution and changes to oceanic currents.” Although the list has no legal power, it may help raise awareness about the issue among the international community.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, told reporters on Thursday he has little choice but to allow fishermen to keep catching baby eels for the time being.
But the Japanese government has been aware of the shrinking eel population for some time and has already taken some steps. It only allows licensed fishermen to catch baby eels. It has accelerated research and development of farming technology and has succeeded in growing eels from eggs to maturity. The Ministry of Environment added the eel to its own endangered species list in 2013.
Read the full story at the Wall Street Journal