Eel are Catadromous as opposed to Diadromous.
i believe its been illegal to take elvers from most states except for maine, which is the state this article came from. Its a different perspective i guess.
its unfortuante that eel stock was allowed to be depleted as its not only an important bait, but an important forage for the striped bass. Not much that can be done now.
The loss of bait is a problem. Its true we can just buy farm raised eels, I dont see that anyone can ever ban that from happening.