The ray-finned fish had been seized at Geneva Airport. The finding led to the arrest of seven men. An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the trafficking operation.
The individuals illegally transported about 130,000 eel fry in six suitcases. Arrested in the airport lobby, the seven men were incarcerated in Champ-Dollon prison.
This incident, which was first reported on by the Tribune de Genève, set the stage for the Zurich Airport arrest of another two individuals implicated in the same kind of trafficking.
The traffickers intercepted in Zurich were transporting 110,000 eel fry. Some experts refer to these fry as European ivory.
Originating in the Sargasso Sea, eel fry – also known as elvers, about three years old – migrate along the Gulf Stream to the Atlantic coasts of North Africa and Europe where they enter freshwater river basins. It is in this setting that eel fry reach their sexual prime before migrating back to the Sargasso Sea, this time against the current of the Gulf Stream, to reproduce.
About 90% of European eel populations have disappeared in the past 30 years.
Keystone
Eel fry are subject to intensive fishing at the mouths of African and European rivers. They are then either fattened on fish farms before being sold or illegally exported as larvae for consumption as delicacies in Asia.
About 90% of European eel populations have disappeared in the past 30 years. For this reason, the species is on the Red List of Critically Endangered Species and in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Import and export are strictly prohibited in the European Union.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
This content was published on
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
Michelle Hunziker to co-present Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Swiss-Italian television moderator Michelle Hunziker will be one of the presenters of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), scheduled for May 13-17 in Basel.
Business travellers face highest public transport costs in Switzerland
This content was published on
Public transport ticket prices for adults in Switzerland are around the European average, according to a study. Swiss senior citizens and business travellers tend to pay more.
This content was published on
The amount of unproductive land in Switzerland has hardly changed in recent decades. Nationwide, it shrank by around 2% between 1985 and 2018.
Rescue teams had hands full at Lauberhorn ski race
This content was published on
From broken bones to heart attacks, the rescue teams had a busy weekend at the Ski World Cup in Wengen, which attracted a record 80,000 fans.
Swiss solar company Meyer Burger secures additional financing
This content was published on
The bridge financing concluded to stabilise the Swiss company has been extended and increased. The company has also launched a takeover process.
Centre Party president rules out run for Swiss government post
This content was published on
Outgoing Centre Party president Gerhard Pfister will not join the race to replace defence minister Viola Amherd in the Swiss government, the politician announced on Saturday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.