Te Waihora Co-Governors welcome tuna decisions

The Co-Governors of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere today welcomed the Government’s recent decisions on tuna (eel) stocks in the lake.

Tā Mark Solomon, Kaiwhakahaere, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, said the move by the Government would help protect the vulnerable longfin tuna, an important mahinga kai species in the lake.

“We have a responsibility to protect the lake, its ecosystem, and taonga species like longfin tuna.
This decision will support preservation efforts that are currently underway at Te Waihora,” Tā Mark said.

Since 2006 there has been a voluntary code of conduct for all longfin eel caught in Te Waihora to be returned to the lake. Dame Margaret Bazley, Environment Canterbury Chair of Commissioners, said she expected the code commitment to continue.

“We applaud the decisions by the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy,” Dame Margaret said. “Together with the voluntary commitments that are already in place, the separate management regime and catch limits reflecting the vulnerability of longfin should support increased abundance in future.”

Co-governance of Te Waihora is a long-term commitment to the restoration and rejuvenation of the mauri and ecosystem health of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere involving Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council and Christchurch City Council.

On the tuna decisions:
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/proposed-separation-of-south-island-eel-stocks/
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/review-of-fisheries-sustainability-measures-for-1-october-2016/
On Te Waihora co-governance: http://tewaihora.org/cogovernance/

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