“Missing the Trees for the Forest?” An Analysis of the Harms to European Eels Caused by Their Trafficking and Trade

Abstract

Wildlife trafficking has generally been studied for its harm to humans, to species of nonhuman animals, and to ecosystems. Such approaches fail to recognize the intrinsic value of nonhuman animal life. As discussed by various authors, even biodiversity loss discourses tend to adopt a human-centered perspective which overlooks the suffering of those individual nonhuman animals who are trafficked and traded. Through a case study of the European eel based on data collected through interviews, observation, and document analysis, this paper exposes the demand for European eels and the harms caused to them throughout the supply chain. Moreover, using a visual approach to green criminology, the research employs photographs as evidence of harm. By doing so, the paper makes visible the impact of wildlife trafficking and trade on European eels. As the research shows, European eels suffer along the supply chain not only when they are trafficked, but when they are subjected to a legal trade.