Canada plans crackdown as trade data shows elver exports were 4 times the legal catch in 2022

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plans to crack down on the illegal fishery for baby eels, also known as elvers, in the Maritimes next year by creating separate possession-and-export licences to track the catch from river to airport.

Canada plans crackdown as trade data shows elver exports were 4 times the legal catch in 2022
People can be seen setting up nets to fish for baby eels on a river in Halifax County, N.S., in 2023. The image was captured on a trail cam set up by a licence holder to monitor elver fishing activity in 2023.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) plans to crack down on the illegal fishery for baby eels, also known as elvers, in the Maritimes next year by creating separate possession-and-export licences to track the catch from river to airport.