NIFS announced its success in the development of species identification techniques for A. japonica ; the Korean endemic eels, enabling anyone on sites to be able to identify the species in just 20 minutes conveniently. 

The research achievement has gained recognition for its academic and technical excellence through being published in the international scientific journal and its patent application. The technique is expected to become an innovative turning point of a science-based management system as well as in responding to the CITES regulation.

*CITES: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 

As the existing methods took at least over eight hours for the genetic analysis, they were not suitable for field application. However, the new technique takes only 20 minutes for the analysis and needs no skilled personnel and expensive equipment, rendering it highly suitable for field application. 

Recently, the European Union (EU) proposed the uplisting of all anguillid eels to CITES Appendix II including Anguilla japonica due to the illegal trafficking of European eel and the rapidly declining eel resources. 

With 500 billion Korean won of annual sales, eels are the representative culture species in Korea. However, a high percentage of glass eels for aquaculture in Korea are imported, around 80%. Therefore, if a new regulation is imposed on under the new listing, Korean eel aquaculture industry has no choice but to be taken a heavy toll. 

The president of NIFS (Mr. Choi Yong-seok) said, “As a result of taking preemptive response to the strengthened international regulations, the new species identification technique is very significant in that it secured the science-based foundation to protect the eel aquaculture industry as well as the fishermen. Aiming to commercialize the technique in 2026, NIFS will push for the productization of it in earnest through technology transfer.” He also said, “We will do our best to ensure that the technique will be of practical help in increasing the transparency of domestic eel resource management and release programs.”