SMC ALERT: PCE's Freshwater Eel Report -
Experts Respond
17 April 2013
A report calling into question the science behind longfin eel fisheries management was launched today by the
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE).
Commercial fishing of native freshwater eels is currently permitted under the quota management system, despite mounting concerns that the iconic endemic longfin eel may be headed for extinction. Fisheries scientists have highlighted the
complexities involved in managing a species that lives for nearly a century and breeds only once at the end of its life.
The fishery is managed by the Ministry of Primary Industries, while the Department of Conservation, Ministry for the
Environment and local councils all have responsibilities for protecting eels in different contexts.
The PCE's report calls for:
• Suspension of the commercial catch of longfin eels until stocks are shown to have recovered
• Increased protection for longfin eels and other threatened migratory fish
• A fully-independent expert peer review panel to reassess the science, using the full range of information available on
longfin eel population status
A copy of reportOn a pathway to extinction? An investigation into the status and management of the longfin eelis available from the PCE's website.
The Science Media Centre has rounded up commentary from freshwater and fisheries experts in response to the PCE's
recommendations.
Dr Angus McIntosh, Professor of Freshwater Ecology, University of Canterbury, comments:
"Eels are disproportionately important in New Zealand rivers because of their position at the top of the food web, so
the imperilled state of longfin eel populations, highlighted in the PCE report, warrants action. It is concerning that
some of the best evidence for longfin declines, a widespread and substantial reduction in their distribution, has not
been given due weight in setting harvest quotas. I hope the agencies responsible for eel management implement the
commissioner's recommendations. However, I'm concerned that the hamstrung state of the Department of Conservation
(DoC), being further exacerbated by the current round of job cuts, will prevent it from doing so."
Dr Roger Young, Freshwater Ecologist, Cawthron Institute, comments:
"I welcome this report from the PCE on one of New Zealand's iconic native species. The information presented on the
status of the longfin eel population provides strong evidence that the population is in serious trouble.
"The consistent lack of the smallest eels in samples from throughout the country is particularly concerning. However,
it is possible that this result may be influenced to some extent by the sampling method that has been used; electric
fishing is generally less effective at catching very small eels. Despite this, I think the multiple lines of evidence
indicating a decline in the eel population is compelling.
"Longfin eels live for many years, but only breed once at the end of their life. Therefore, they are very susceptible
to habitat degradation and loss, and overfishing. My personal experience of snorkelling in rivers around New Zealand
indicates that there are substantially more eels in rivers where regular harvesting does not take place. I strongly
support the recommendations in the report and hope to see changes in longfin eel management in the near future."
Dave Allen (MSc), Director - Aquatic Natural Resources Ltd (more than two decades prior experience managing eel
fisheries at the former Ministry of Fisheries) comments:
"The Commissioner has reached a view that the commercial fishing of longfins should cease, partly to address non-fishing
issues of land and water management. However, this view has been reached from an unfair appraisal of peer reviewed
research information. Long-standing commissioned research is unreasonably picked apart in apparent favour of other
research information that fits better with a preconceived view of a resource in decline. The available evidence does
not provide a reasonable rationale to stop fishing completely, and there are more moderate options to further restrict
fishing, while still ensuring sustainability, which are not entertained as a potential outcome(eg, catch limit
reduction).
"It is wrong to assume that a stock's catch limit will always be caught in any one year - there are other factors that
affect whether a stock is fished (eg, international buyer demand). In some contrast to northern hemisphere eel
fisheries, the decline in national commercial catch for longfin, particularly in the North Island since 2004, is a
reflection of MPI's active management intervention and the resulting significant reduction in the number of the
commercial fishers and processing facilities.
"Maintaining an open mind to a range of research information is beneficial, and research providers and environmental
advocates should actively participate in official science review processes, such as the MPI-convened Eel Science Working
Group. MPI may need to explore alternative funding mechanisms to cater for a broader range of research indicators for
this high priority resource.
"As highlighted in the report, the combined inclusion of shortfin and longfin species within the same generic South
Island eel stocks needs separation, so that more focused catch limits can be applied to longfin in the South Island.
This would go a long way to providing the assurance that sustainability outcomes can be achieved on both a regional and
a national basis.
"It would have been helpful if better incentives were identified for land and water users as it relates to habitat
management. To expect that fishing interests should cease their activities for valued social, cultural and economic
outcomes, for an indeterminate timeframe, because of inactions or actions of land and water users over many decades,
does not provide the stimulus required for the latter to improve their performance."
Alistair Dunn, Programme Leader, Fisheries Stock Assessment and Monitoring, NIWA comments:
"The PCE report raises issues around some of the science and data collected on New Zealand's longfin eels populations.
"We intend to work closely with MPI and DoC in the review of science needs for fisheries and conservation management of
this iconic New Zealand species."
Dr Russell Death, Associate Professor, Institute of Agriculture and Environment - Ecology, Massey University, comments:
"I have been aware for some time from research colleagues that our endemic longfin eel has been under threat, and have
been disappointed at the lack of action from agencies charged with their protection. It is therefore great to see the
PCE's office providing an objective assessment of the facts. Clearly the PCE's assessment bears out the concerns many of
the scientific community and public have had; that one of our greatest freshwater taonga is at risk.
"A moratorium on longfin fishing is an obvious first step; however, clearly more drastic steps will be needed to prevent
its extinction. New Zealanders are proud of our efforts to conserve many of our terrestrial species and it would be a
tragedy to see our largest freshwater species disappear simply because it is not as cute and cuddly as many of our other
conservation treasures. In that regard I would have liked to see some more prescribed suggestions of the way forward
for its preservation. The agencies currently charged with the protection of eel appear to be failing and we obviously
need an alternative if we are to avoid losing another unique New Zealand icon."
Dr Gerry Closs, Associate Professor, Freshwater Ecology, University of Otago, comments:
"The call to close the longfin eel fishery until stocks recover by the PCE is to be commended, and I fully support this
action. Freshwater fisheries scientists have regarded this fishery as
unsustainable for a number of years, and the data presented in this report confirms this view.
The low numbers of juvenile and large adult longfin eels in recent catch data from Otago and Waikato are particularly
alarming, and confirm too few longfin eels are surviving to breed.
"Female longfin eels can take over 80 years to grow to maturity. Even if an eel fisher only returns to fish a site every
five years, each longfin eel has to evade their nets on at least 10 occasions over their long life. The odds of
surviving to maturity are minimal.
"Currently, the longfin eel is being managed into extinction by the Government agencies responsible for their
protection. A lack of action by the relevant ministers following receipt of this report would be wilful negligence.
Closure of the fishery, essential if the species is to survive, will have little impact on the total catch of eels given
that shortfin eel will still be available. In the longer term, sustainable exploitation of longfin eels can only occur
if either the North or South Island is permanently closed to commercial fishing."
Dr Mike Joy, Director, Centre for Freshwater Ecosystem Management & Modelling, Massey University, comments:
"This report on the status and management of New Zealand's threatened endemic longfin eel is clear and convincing in its
call for a halt to their commercial harvest. Furthermore the report vindicates the long standing call for a moratorium
on longfin eel harvest by the Manaaki tuna group.
"Disturbingly the report revealed some serious shortcomings in the management of the longfin fishery by the Ministry for
Primary Industries and insufficient protection for longfin eels by the Department of Conservation.
"This report emphasises the crucial value of independent scientific appraisal and just what a national treasure all New
Zealanders have with the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment."
ENDS