The discussions held at CoP20 made clear that many Parties are seeking practical support to strengthen their systems for monitoring and managing Anguilla species, and the adoption of Resolution 87 has further highlighted the need for reliable identification tools, consistent documentation practices and improved reporting frameworks. The Sustainable Eel Group is increasingly well-positioned to help address these needs by offering technical insight, sharing operational experience, and supporting the development of coherent procedures that can be applied across diverse national contexts.

One of the most immediate areas where support is needed relates to documentation systems. Parties frequently asked how legal acquisition findings can be strengthened, how product types should be recorded, and how species-level information can be incorporated into permits when identification is challenging. SEG can assist countries by sharing experience from European permitting systems, interpreting emerging CITES guidance, and advising on the practical steps required to integrate verification processes into routine administrative workflows. This includes helping authorities understand how to structure documentation so that it supports compliance and reporting.

Identification capacity also emerged as a priority during the CoP, particularly as Parties discussed the limitations of visual identification and the uneven availability of laboratory facilities. In light of Resolution 87’s focus on reviewing identification tools, SEG can contribute by collating information on current methods, explaining their strengths and limitations and assisting Parties in determining which approaches are most suited to their operational environment. This may involve developing training materials, supporting the introduction of field-deployable tools where feasible, or helping officials understand how to interpret DNA-based results within legal and administrative frameworks.

Supply-chain traceability was another recurring theme in the CoP discussions, especially in relation to processed products and multi-stage trade flows. SEG’s experience working with producers, processors, and distributors in the development, monitoring, and implementation of its Standard provides a base from which it can help countries understand how traceability systems can be designed to accommodate the realities of eel supply chains without imposing unworkable burdens on operators. This work can include advising on the structure of record-keeping systems, helping identify points in the supply chain where verification is most effective, and supporting authorities as they adapt existing frameworks to incorporate eel-specific considerations. There is the potential for extending the scope of its Standard in the future to consider how full traceability from fishery to marketplace can be ensured for other species.

The scope of our capacity building programme extends beyond government agencies to include close engagement with industry actors, civil society organisations, and research organisations. Many of the implementation challenges identified at the CoP arise from proactive interactions between regulators and operators, and SEG’s established relationships across these sectors position it to facilitate practical dialogue. By supporting workshops, developing guidance materials, or contributing to multi-stakeholder training initiatives outside the European Union, SEG can help ensure that compliance expectations are understood and that operators have access to the tools and information required to meet them.

Looking ahead, SEG’s continued involvement with the European Commission and in CITES intersessional processes will be integral to its contribution to global anguillid management. Engagement with the Animals Committee, the Standing Committee, and the Secretariat will allow SEG to provide constructive input into the reviews mandated by Resolution 87 and to stay aligned with evolving guidance that may shape future regulatory decisions. Proactive engagement with SEG delegates through the youth and observer programmes and other adjacent initiatives will support our role. This ongoing participation will also help SEG anticipate emerging needs and structure its work accordingly.

The outcomes of CoP20 have clarified both the challenges and the opportunities ahead, and SEG is committed to contributing to the development of effective, practical and globally coherent approaches to anguillid conservation and trade oversight. Through targeted support to governments, strengthened collaboration with partner organisations and sustained engagement with international processes, SEG is well placed to assist countries and industry actors as they work to enhance their monitoring, verification, and documentation systems for Anguilla species which have typically been overlooked.