The case study on a new perspective of Java eel conservation was conducted to address the declining trend of eel capture fisheries in general inland waters of Cilacap in Indonesia from 2017 to 2021 and investigate the perception of fishermen from 2018 to 2022. Site visits and interviews with fishermen and eel collectors were conducted. Results show that there is a similar trend of decreasing eels (i.e., Anguilla bicolor bicolor and Anguilla marmorata[s1] ) in catches from 2018 to 2022, where the catch of glass eels up to the consumption size in the Citandui Watershed and Serayu decreased by 72% and 82%, respectively. The presence of the river barriers, i.e., the Manganti and Gerak Serayu dams, decreases in water discharge over the years and the failure of elvers to migrate upstream has contributed to the decline. The distribution of glass eel and elver in other rivers and along its irrigation channels indicates that the eels escape for their migration upstream. The decrees of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, issued in 2020 and 2021, have provided limited protection and conservation of eels (Anguilla spp.) and imposed quotas for the use of limited protected fish species in order to maintain the sustainability of the eel population. The role of watersheds with forest areas in supplying water to the river throughout the year needs to be concerned. Suggested solutions to improve the population and conservation of eels include controlling and limiting the pattern of yellow to silver eel catches, creating fishways or fish ladders on the walls of both dams as well as reforestation the lost forests in the watershed area.  [s1]Give the full name