The Black Market for Eels is Exploding
Synopsis
Immature Japanese eels can cost as much as $35,000 per kilogram, driving a multi-million-pound black market fueled by organized crime.
Synopsis
Fishermen in Japan pull in baby eels, known as White Diamonds, as demand for these creatures surges. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the Japanese eel as endangered, with 70% of its population lost since the 1960s. Prices for immature eels can reach $35,000 per kilogram. Organized crime groups exploit this lucrative market, leading to theft and smuggling. Three men face charges for stealing over a million dollars worth of frozen eels, illustrating the dark side of this booming trade.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Find out why baby eels are called White Diamonds.
- See how organized crime profits from eel smuggling.
- Discover the environmental impact of damming rivers on eels.
Did You Know
- Young American and European eels can sell for over two thousand dollars per pound.
- A kilogram of immature Japanese eels can cost as much as 35,000 dollars.
- Seventy percent of the Japanese eel population disappeared between 1960 and 2000.
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the Japanese eel as an endangered species.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are baby eels called in some parts of Asia?
In some parts of Asia, baby eels are called White Diamonds.
How much can a kilogram of immature Japanese eels cost?
A kilogram of immature Japanese eels can cost as much as 35,000 dollars.
What has happened to the Japanese eel population since the 1960s?
Seventy percent of the Japanese eel population disappeared between the 1960s and 2000.
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