The U.S. regulators have decided to allow American fishermen to continue harvesting baby eels, also known as elvers, in the coming years. These tiny fish are highly valuable, with prices sometimes exceeding $2,000 per pound due to their importance in Asian aquaculture. The decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will allow U.S. fishermen to harvest around 10,000 pounds of elvers per year, with the quota remaining at current levels until at least 2027.
The decision to allow elver fishing in the U.S. comes after Fisheries and Oceans Canada shutdown the elver fishing season in the Maritime provinces due to concerns over poaching and illegal activities. Maine is the only state in the U.S. that permits commercial-scale fishing of elvers, and fishermen in the state argue that they have been responsible stewards of the fishery. Despite pleas for a larger quota, regulators kept the quota the same, citing concerns over the sustainability of eel fishing.
The high value of elvers is driven by the decline in worldwide supplies of eels in recent decades, leading to criticism from environmental groups about the sustainability of the industry. The global eel fishing industry has also been plagued by poaching and illegal sales, as evidenced by the recent arrests of Maine fishermen in Canada for breaking fishing laws and illegal elver sales. Authorities in Maine have implemented measures to combat poaching, including a swipe card system to deter illegal sales.
Maine authorities have been successful in preventing poaching within the state, but the threat of illegal fishing in Canada poses a risk to the valuable elver fishery on both sides of the border. The decision to maintain the current elver quota in Maine is seen as positive news for the state’s harvesters, who earn nearly $20 million annually from the fishery. With Maine fishermen already 80% through this year’s quota, the price of elvers has been fluctuating but remains high compared to pre-2012 prices.
Overall, the decision to allow American fishermen to continue harvesting elvers reflects the delicate balance between economic opportunities and sustainability in the fishing industry. While the high value of elvers can provide significant economic benefits, concerns over poaching and declining eel populations highlight the need for responsible management practices. The measures taken by Maine authorities to prevent illegal activities demonstrate the importance of enforcement in maintaining the integrity of the fishery.
