Inclusion of all Anguilla Eel Species in CITES Appendix II Will Support Their Sustainable Management Across the Globe

For the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) between 24 November and 5 December 2025, the European Union (EU) and Honduras have proposed the listing of all species belonging to the genus Anguilla (eels) in CITES Appendix II (hereafter named the proposal) (CITES 2025a). The proponents argue that international trade must be regulated to ensure the conservation of these species and to facilitate sustainable trade (CITES 2025a). Here, we discuss the global significance of eel trade and the potential impact of this proposal in relation to the management and protection of eel species. To this end, we present a concise overview of the worldwide trade in eel, discuss the status of the stocks, the effectiveness of stock management policies, the importance of the proposal in this context and the likelihood of successful implementation.