Anguilla rostrata

Anguilla rostrata (Lesueur, 1817)
American Eel

Federal Protection: No US federal protection

State Protection: No Georgia state protection

Global Rank: G4

State Rank: S3

Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes

SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): No

SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes

2025 SGCN Priority Tier: Moderate Conservation Concern

Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 199

Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: undercut banks, deep pools near boulders and logs

SWAP 2025 Threat Matrix

Threat 1 Threat 2 Threat 3

General Threat Climate change & severe weather Natural system modifications None

Specific Threat None Dams & water management/use None

	Threat 1	Threat 2	Threat 3
General Threat	Climate change & severe weather	Natural system modifications	None
Specific Threat	None	Dams & water management/use	None

Georgia Conservation Status

The American Eel is not currently under state protection and at one time was a booming fishery across the coastal states. The species is now federally managed by the National Marine Fisheries Section of NOAA and has become a focus of fish passage efforts. GADNR began tracking the American Eel in 2021 to help provide quality and up to date data to inform the need for additional eel passage at such barriers as hydropower dams.

SWAP 2025 Conservation Actions:

Action 1: Assess mainstem populations
Action 2: Improve aquatic connectivity in SWAP priority watersheds

Authors of Account

Paula Marcinek

Date Compiled or Updated