American Eel: Ambassadors of the River part 1

In this week's episode of Rarefied, host Meredith Meeker delves into the fascinating world of the American Eel. Despite its slimy and elusive nature, the American Eel is a remarkable and critical species. Meredith is joined by Chris Bowser, Education Coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who shares his extensive knowledge on these unique creatures. Listeners will learn about the eel's life cycle, unique adaptations, and the significant threats they face, including habitat disruption and climate change. The episode also touches on the cultural and nutritional importance of eels, and how ongoing conservation efforts aim to safeguard their future. This is the first part of a two-part series, with more intriguing details and actionable ways to help eels to be discussed in the next episode.

https://academic.oup.com/fisheries/advance-article/doi/10.1093/fshmag/vuae029/8108272

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-dynamics/articles/10.3389/fhumd.2023.1270644/full

00:00 Introduction to Rarefied Podcast

00:33 Meet the American Eel

02:18 Guest Introduction: Chris Bowser

03:07 Understanding the American Eel

09:25 Life Cycle of the American Eel

17:03 Eels in Freshwater Habitats

18:21 Challenges and Conservation

22:27 Finding Eels: Techniques and Tools

24:42 Volunteer Efforts and Data Collection

26:05 Yearly Data and Restoration Projects

30:01 The Threats Facing Eels

31:38 The Importance of Stream Connectivity

40:15 Eel Fisheries and Consumption

47:17 Conclusion and Next Steps