Slippery Beast is a fascinating account of the eel, a mysterious and highly coveted creature. It explores the eel's history, biology, and cultural significance, and reveals the illegal trade in eels, which is an international scandal measured in billions of dollars. The book follows the eel from Maine to the Sargasso Sea and back, and explores the potential of a commercial eel "family farm" to upend the international market and save a state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2024
Publisher: Abrams

Slippery Beast is a fascinating account of a deeply mysterious creature—the eel—a thrilling saga of true crime,natural history,travel,and big business. Its part natural history,part true crime,and buckets of slippery,slimy fun. You wont be able to put it down.—The Nature Conservancy Ellen Ruppel Shells Slippery Beast is a fascinating account of a deeply mysterious creature—the eel—a thrilling saga of true crime,natural history,travel,and big business. What is it about eels? Depending on who you ask,they are a pest,a fascination,a threat,a pot of gold. What they are not is predictable. Eels emerged some 200 million years ago,weathered mass extinctions and continental shifts,and were once among the worlds most abundant freshwater fish. But since the 1970s,their numbers have plummeted. Because eels—as unagi—are another thing: delicious. In Slippery Beast ,journalist Ellen Ruppel Shell travels in the world of “eel people,” pursuing a burgeoning fascination with this mysterious and highly coveted creature. Despite centuries of study by celebrated thinkers from Aristotle to Leeuwenhoek to a young Sigmund Freud,much about eels remains unknown,including exactly how eels beget other eels. Eels cannot be bred reliably in captivity,and as a result,infant eels are unbelievably valuable. A pound of the tiny,translucent,bug-eyed “elvers” caught in the cold fresh waters of Maine can command $3,000 or more on the black market. Illegal trade in eels is an international scandal measured in billions of dollars every year. In Maine,federal investigators have risked their lives to bust poaching rings,including the notorious half-decade-long “Operation Broken Glass.” Ruppel Shell follows the elusive eel from Maine to the Sargasso Sea and back,stalking riversides,fishing holes,laboratories,restaurants,courtrooms,and Americas first commercial eel “family farm,” which just might upend the international market and sav.

Slippery Beast: A Fascinating Account of a Deeply Mysterious Creature

Slippery Beast is a captivating book that delves into the world of eels, combining elements of natural history, true crime, travel, and business. The author, Ellen Ruppel Shell, explores the enigmatic nature of eels, revealing their various perceptions as pests, fascinations, threats, and potential sources of wealth. Eels have existed for over 200 million years, surviving mass extinctions and continental shifts, but their population has declined significantly since the 1970s. Their allure lies in their delicious taste, making them a sought-after commodity. However, eels are not easily bred in captivity, making their young ones highly valuable. The illegal trade in eels is a global scandal, with billions of dollars involved annually. In Maine, federal investigators have risked their lives to bust poaching rings, including the notorious "Operation Broken Glass."

Shell follows the elusive eel from Maine to the Sargasso Sea and back, uncovering the secrets of their reproduction and the challenges of managing their population. She also explores the impact of eels on the environment and the efforts to conserve them. Slippery Beast is a captivating read that will keep you hooked until the very end. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

The Fascinating World of Eels

Eels have been around for over 200 million years, weathering mass extinctions and continental shifts. They were once among the most abundant freshwater fish in the world. However, their population has declined significantly since the 1970s. Eels are not only a source of food but also a valuable commodity due to their unique properties. They are known for their slippery skin, which makes them difficult to catch and handle. Eels are also prized for their medicinal properties, with some species being used in traditional Chinese medicine. Despite their popularity, eels are not easy to breed in captivity. This has led to the illegal trade in eels, which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually. In Maine, federal investigators have risked their lives to bust poaching rings, including the notorious "Operation Broken Glass."

Shell's book explores the various aspects of eels, including their reproduction, behavior, and impact on the environment. She also highlights the efforts to conserve eels and the challenges faced by those working to protect them. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the challenges facing our planet. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

The Thrilling Saga of True Crime, Natural History, Travel, and Big Business

Slippery Beast is not just a book about eels. It is a thrilling saga of true crime, natural history, travel, and big business. The author, Ellen Ruppel Shell, weaves together these elements to create a captivating story that will keep you hooked until the very end. Eels have been involved in several high-profile crimes, including smuggling, poaching, and illegal fishing. Shell explores these cases and the impact they have had on the environment and the people involved. She also highlights the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat these crimes and protect the natural world. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, natural history, or the impact of big business on the environment. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

The Elusive Eel: A Journey from Maine to the Sargasso Sea and Back

Shell's book follows the elusive eel from Maine to the Sargasso Sea and back. She explores the various habitats and ecosystems that eels inhabit, and the challenges they face in each environment. She also highlights the efforts of scientists and conservationists to study and protect eels. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the challenges facing our planet. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

The International Scandal of Illegal Eel Trade

The illegal trade in eels is a global scandal that is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually. Eels are prized for their meat, skin, and medicinal properties, and are often smuggled into countries where they are not native. This has led to the destruction of ecosystems and the displacement of local communities. Shell's book highlights the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat this trade and protect the natural world. She also provides insights into the challenges faced by those working to conserve eels and the importance of sustainable fishing practices. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the challenges facing our planet. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

The First Commercial Eel "Family Farm" in America

Shell's book also explores the first commercial eel "family farm" in America. This farm, located in Maine, is working to produce eels in a sustainable and ethical manner. The farm uses a closed-loop system that recycles water and nutrients, and produces eels that are healthy and delicious. Shell highlights the challenges faced by the farm and the efforts of the owners to promote sustainable fishing practices. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the challenges facing our planet. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

Conclusion

Slippery Beast is a captivating book that delves into the world of eels, combining elements of natural history, true crime, travel, and business. The author, Ellen Ruppel Shell, explores the enigmatic nature of eels, revealing their various perceptions as pests, fascinations, threats, and potential sources of wealth. Eels have been around for over 200 million years, but their population has declined significantly since the 1970s. Despite their challenges, eels are a valuable commodity and are being studied and protected by scientists and conservationists around the world. Slippery Beast is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and the challenges facing our planet. It offers a unique perspective on the world of eels and sheds light on the complex issues surrounding their conservation.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 218 x 149 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419765858