The Spanish Government’s decision to unilaterally step up protection of the European eel

Question for written answer E-000539/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE)

The Spanish Government has announced its intention to include the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) on Spain's list of endangered species, which would mean, in practice, the total closure of the fishery despite the fact that the eel is a single stock at European level and remains subject to authorised catches in other Member States.

Various fishers' associations have warned that this measure shifts the responsibility for the serious decline of the species - closely linked to the loss of river connectivity, habitat degradation and the failure to comply with existing management plans - to the fishing industry, without the promised structural measures having been implemented beforehand.

In the light of the foregoing:

• 1.Was it mandatory under EU law for Spain to unilaterally raise the level of protection for eel beyond that agreed at European level?
• 2.Does the Commission take the view that there were management alternatives - based on habitat restoration, river connectivity, restocking and assisted migration - that should have been put into practice before the decision was taken to close the fishery completely?

Submitted: 10.2.2026