Submission on the review of management controls for the South Island longfin and shortfin eel fisheries

^{Longfin eel}

In April 2013, I released a report titled On a pathway to extinction? An investigation into the status and management of the longfin eel. In this report, I concluded that the longfin eel population is on a long, downward trajectory. I recommended that commercial fishing of longfin eels be suspended until the population is shown to have recovered.

I have been encouraged by the Government’s response so far to my recommendations, in particular, the commitment to “increase the population and improve the long-term sustainability of longfin eels”. I also welcome the recent separation of South Island eel stocks, and the current review of total catch limits for South Island eel fisheries. My submission addresses this review.