Organisations that are SEG certified can now make Claims and use the SEG Certified logo. This page describes for customers and consumers of SEG Certified products what being SEG Certified means.
What SEG certified means
At its simplest level, being SEG certified means that a business trading in the European eel complies with the SEG Standard. By doing so, it means that it is meeting best practices for eel handling, welfare and trade, and therefore assisting the protection and recovery of the eel population.
It also means:
- Certified responsibly sourced European eel. (* approved translations are below)
- European eel that is traceable from fisher to final product. Caught, handled and traded by SEG certified organisations in line with best practices to support the recovery of the European eel population.
- Complies with the best practices for the protection of the European eel, from fishery to customer through a traceable supply chain.
- Making a contribution to the protection and recovery of the European eel.
* Approved translations:
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Certified responsibly sourced European eel
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Gecertificeerde Europese paling uit verantwoorde bron
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Anguille européenne certifiée et issue de sources responsables
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Zertifizierter, verantwortungsvoll beschaffter Aal
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Anguila europea certificada y de origen responsable
What are ‘Claims’?
Green claims, also known as environmental or eco-friendly claims, are statements made by businesses to highlight the positive environmental aspects of their products, services, or operations.
They are often made to show their compliance with a sustainability standard; in this case, the SEG Standard.
The SEG Standard
The SEG Standard is a voluntary sustainability standard. It is a Best Practice Code of Conduct for a Responsible Eel Sector. It is a series of tests of whether each step in the supply chain from fisher to trader, eel farm, restocking organisation or processor, are each meeting those best practices.
It is a voluntary standard meaning that businesses can choose whether or not they wish to meet best practice, going beyond just being legal.
The European eel and sustainability
Trade in the European eel is controversial. Its population has been steadily declining since the start of the industrial revolution. A more notable, 90% decline from 1980 to 2010 caused the formation of the EU Eel Regulation in 2007 for the ‘protection and sustainable use of the eel stock’. IUCN classifies it as ‘Critically Endangered’ and whilst ICES has regularly advised for human impacts on the eel to be reduced to zero, including to stop fishing, governments have sought to maintain a balance – to permit some eel fishing and trade, but at a reduced amount to aid the eel’s recovery in line with the Eel Regulation.
Whilst fishing and trade is legal and permitted, the SEG Standard is designed to provide best practice for even higher levels of protection. Example of these are:
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Fishing only in places where they are implementing their Eel Management Plan actions;
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Reducing illegal trade by withholding entry to the scheme those who have been recently convicted or arrested for illegal eel trade, and enabling SEG to influence the EU to tackle the illegal trade;
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Fishing and handling with the gentlest techniques to maximise the welfare and survival of the eels caught;
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Ensuring that 60% of glass eels caught are used for restocking so that the majority – caught in places of high abundance, can be used to populate places with low numbers of eels;
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Ensuring that the commercial sector plays a stewardship role, by financially contributing to eel conservation projects – for example eel passes and restocking – to help the eel population recover to its former abundance.
For more information on this complex topic you are invited to read some of our key position statements:
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SEG Standard Overview
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SEG considers “Zero Catch” advice
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SEG vision on protection and recovery of the European eel