New Zealand Longfin Eel - Longfin Eel Fishing

Longfin Eel Fishing

The commercial fishing of Longfin eels started to gain momentum in the 1960s and had a 2000 tonne yearly catch by the 1970s. But the fishery went into decline in the early 1980s and in the 2000-2001 fishing season only 1079 tonnes were taken. The commercial Longfin eel fishing was included into the Quota Management System (QMS) in 2000 for the South Island and the North Island in 2004. This set limits as to the minimum and maximum size (220 grams and 4 kg) and the Total Allowable Catch (TAC). As of 2007 the TAC has not been reached in any fishing season since the implementation of the QMS. In recognition of the significance of Longfin eels to Māori they have a 20 percent allocation of fishery stocks. The capture and export of glass eels in New Zealand has been prohibited.