In 2000, the European eel population experienced a dramatic collapse, with estimates indicating a decline of over 90% due to habitat barriers, pollution, and overfishing. This alarming trend raised significant concerns about the sustainability of migratory species and the health of aquatic ecosystems. The decline of the European eel has prompted calls for conservation measures and greater awareness of environmental impacts on biodiversity.

The European eel population collapse in 2000 became a poignant subject in poetry addressing migration and ecological crisis. Poets like Alice Oswald have used the plight of the eel as a metaphor for broader themes of displacement, emphasizing the fragility of natural cycles.