Reinventing the Eel

Aristotle thought they were born out of mud. A young Sigmund Freud
dedicated himself to finding their testicles (spoiler alert, he
failed). And a legendary Danish marine biologist spent 18 years and
his wife's fortune sailing around the Atlantic Ocean to find their
birthplace. The creature that tormented all of these great
thinkers? It was the eel, perhaps the most mysterious fish in the
world—and one of the most expensive per pound. So why are tiny,
transparent, worm-like baby eels worth so much? Why have eels
remained so mysterious, despite scientists' best efforts? And how
has one pioneering farmer in Maine started raising eels
sustainably, despite the species' endangered status? All that this
episode, plus a nighttime fishing trip, suitcases full of cash, and
a compelling argument that when it comes to the American
Thanksgiving dinner plate, we should consider ditching the
turkey—and replacing it with eel. Learn more about your ad choices.
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