The Sustainable Eel Group (SEG) today launches a 30 day consultation period of its current sustainability standard for responsible capture, trade and farming in the European eel.
SEG is undertaking substantial review of its standard, and is first seeking comments from stakeholders on the current system and where improvements could be made.
The main aims of the review will be to simplify the standard and assessment against it, leading to greater understanding and better implementation of the SEG certification scheme.
The review will aim to be ready for the next glass eel fishing season in November 2026 and will involve full consultation with stakeholders during 2026.
To provide your comments on the current system, by 15 April, please see here.
Objectives
The SEG Standard will continue to set the benchmark as a Best Practice Code of Conduct for a Responsible Eel Sector. Specific aims in this improvement are:
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To continue and where possible increase its level of protection to the eel when it is fished, to aid its recovery,
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To make the standard easier to understand, clearer and less ambiguous to interpret and audit,
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To make it more accessible and to more operators,
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To enable the certification scheme to be compatible with being accredited to ISO17065 in the future,
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To follow the procedures outlined in our 102 SEG Standard Development & Revision procedure.