I weighed this eel in at my shop last fall and I believe it was certified as the new world record.
Potential World Record Eel
Steven Carmen caught this 13.1 lb, 50 inch eel on the beach which he is currently doing paperwork to have classified by the IGFA as a world record. the All Tackle Record in the 2007 book is 9lb 4 ounces.
If the 15 pounder is certified I guess it will go into the book. The picture in the fisherman Magazine did look like an American Eel.