Endangered eel slipping away from markets

AMSTERDAM: Smoked eel on toast looks set to become an even rarer treat at Dutch parties, as the main supermarket group in the Netherlands plans to stop selling the endangered fish from 2010.

Following moves by smaller competitors, Albert Heijn said it would phase out all eel products on its shelves next year, and would introduce a different fish sort as a more sustainable alternative to the popular national delicacy.

The Ahold-owned chain has more than a 30 percent share of the Dutch market, far outstripping rivals.