Eels Alive!

Eels represent a diverse group of over 800 species characterized by long, worm-like bodies and a unique ability to swim backward. Their life cycle is particularly enigmatic; most freshwater eels migrate thousands of miles across the Atlantic to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, a journey that remained a scientific mystery for centuries. Historically, these fish served as a vital food source and even a form of currency in medieval Europe, valued for their high nutritional density. Despite their historical significance, eel populations have plummeted by more than 90% since the 1970s due to overfishing, pollution, and the disruption of migratory paths by dams and hydropower turbines. Current conservation efforts highlight the precarious state of these creatures, as they are now classified as threatened or endangered across multiple regions, prompting a reevaluation of their role in global food systems.