Officials said that the tiny eels, known as elvers, had been declared as food items. The European eel is classified as a critically endangered species and cannot be exported outside the region. Their sale is also heavily regulated within the EU.
Elvers are seen by some as a delicacy. Just 1kg (2.2lb) can fetch up to €1,300 (£1000; $1500) in Asia, according to customs officials. The eels had been placed in bags filled with water and are believed to have been worth several thousand euros.
A rescue centre at an aquarium in the coastal city of Varna has taken them in. The European eel is protected by an international agreement and trading in the species without a permit is forbidden worldwide.
2 comments:
What is it with Asians wanting to eat endangered animals, kill rhinos for their tusks, elephants for their tusks, tigers for almost anything, sharks for their fins? They're very intelligent people. Why can they see that this is wrong? Any readers from Asia who can enlighten me?
So no more noodles with bean sprouts for me...
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