Panel to review NZ eel fishery practices

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has assembled an independent panel to review scientific information on fishery practices of the freshwater longfin eel, Anguilla dieffenbachii.

“MPI is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species,” said James Stevenson-Wallace, Director of Fisheries Management. “The international peer review panel will help provide confidence that decisions on the future management of the longfin eel are based on the best scientific advice available.”

After a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) raised concerns about the longfin eels’ long-term future, the MPI and the Department of Conservation committed to convening an independent review panel.

The panel members are:

• Dr Alex Haro, Principal Investigator and Leader at the SO Conte Anadromous Fish Research Centre, Massachusetts, USA.
• Dr Willem Dekker, Senior Scientist and Project Leader at the Swedish Institute for Freshwater Research of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
• Nokome Bentley, a New Zealand scientist and founder of Trophia Limited, a cooperative of independent fisheries scientists.

The MPI and Department of Conservation also committed to three further actions. The first is increasing the size of fyke net escape tubes in the North Island to reduce the catch of smaller eels. This regulation will come into force on 1 October 2013.

In addition, the splitting of South Island eel stocks into separate shortfin and longfin eel stocks will be investigated. Currently, both shortfin and longfin stocks are managed together. The investigation will determine whether the separation will contribute to improved management of longfin eels.

The third action is addressing the overall protection of the longfin eel, other migratory fish and their habitats. This work is underway with the Department of Conservation.

The panel will convene and hold meetings for a number of days in November, including open sessions with stakeholders. They will then provide a report of their findings towards the end of the year. Ministers will consider the report and decide on management measures that will ensure the long-term survival of the longfin eel.