By Siena Margorian, master’s student at McGill University

One of the biggest challenges to studying the American eel is the mystery surrounding its life cycle. I am currently an MSc student at McGill in the only social science laboratory in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences. My research is focused on understanding the current social-ecological fit of American eel conservation and governance in Canada. This means I want to understand how the current state of American eel ecology in our waters is interrelated with the social dynamics of those who interact with the eel.

As you can expect, social science data collection involves more conversation than getting out in the water (although I did have the opportunity to meet an eel this summer). If you have never heard of the American eel, or if you didn’t know that there were eels in Canada (no, not the electric kind), you are not alone! But you are in for quite a surprise.

Here is the illustrated life cycle of the eel I met this summer:

American eel biology and ecology are essential to understanding eel conservation and management in Canadian waters. Although the biology and life cycle of the American eel are not the central focus of my research, the questions and mysteries surrounding them are part of what makes conservation efforts so challenging. I hope that one day, we discover the secrets of the eel, but maybe they will prefer to remain mysterious…