Film Lens
This documentary examines the illegal trade of eels, particularly focusing on the rising prices and organized crime surrounding baby eels, known as White Diamonds in Asia. It discusses how these eels have become a multi-million dollar commodity due to their rarity and high demand, especially in Japan, which accounts for seventy percent of the world's eel demand. The film shows the environmental issues contributing to the decline of eel populations, including climate change, overfishing, and river damming, which restrict their habitats.
The documentary also addresses the efforts of conservation groups and scientists to combat the decline of eels by creating eel ladders and researching breeding methods in captivity. Despite these efforts, the black market for eels continues to thrive, driven by high prices and the complexities of smuggling live creatures. The film illustrates the wider effects of wildlife trafficking and environmental degradation, using eels as a case study for the challenges facing vulnerable species worldwide.
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.
Perfect For
Wildlife conservationOrganized crime studiesMarine biology enthusiastsEnvironmental activism