The dramatic decline of the American eel

The American eel, a species native to the Great Lakes, is on the verge of collapse throughout much of its habitat. This collapse has occurred alarmingly fast and is especially strong at the far reaches of the eel’s range, which includes the Great Lakes. American eels are at or near the lowest recorded levels of abundance and scientists fear that the spawning stock has declined so dramatically that recovery at the edges of its range may not be possible.