Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Minister congratulated on strong decision for longfin eels

Environment Commissioner congratulates Minister on strong decision for longfin eels

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has congratulated the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy, on his decision to make big reductions in the catch limits for longfin eels in the South Island.

“It’s great to see the Minister making this very positive move towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the longfin eel,” said Dr Jan Wright.

New catch limits announced by the Minister today effectively amount to a suspension of commercial fishing for longfins in four of the six management areas in the South Island, and a reduction of the allowable catch in the remaining two.

“The longfin eel is the largest and longest-lived freshwater eel in the world. It is imperative we do all we can to protect this wonderful but vulnerable creature,” said Dr Wright. “I am very heartened by this latest development.”

Dr Wright notes that fishing is not the only pressure on New Zealand’s top freshwater predator. Loss of habitat and barriers to movement down-stream are also important issues that require more attention.

The Commissioner’s 2013 report, On a pathway to extinction: An investigation into the status and management of the longfin eel, is available here.


ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.