Revised quotas for eel catches in South Canterbury may put exporters out of business

Friday, 30 September 2016

An eel exporter who fishes in South Canterbury waters may go out of business due to changes and cuts to catch limits that come into force from October 1.

The Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, recently announced the changes after a review of sustainability measures and management controls.

For the first time, total allowable catches have been separated for longfin and shortfin eel stocks in the South Island. Previously they were managed as combined stocks.

'Managing them separately will help ensure the ongoing sustainability of both species,' the minister said in his letter to stakeholders.

In South Canterbury the new total allowable catch for longfin eel is three tonne - one customary, one recreational and one commercial.

Mossburn Enterprises, exporters of Waituna brand eels and fish products, managing director Victor Thompson said the new quotas have 'put a stop' to any development of the eel market.

Thompson's Invercargill-based company caught eels, both longfin and shortfin in the Waitaki River south of the hydro dams and lagoons off the river except the Wainono lagoon which has mataitai status. The eel catch also came from the Rangitata and tributaries, and the Hakataramea river.

'The Waitaki was doing 10 tonne plus per year and 4 to 5 tonne at Rangitata and tributaries,' Thompson said.

'Eels were the life blood [for the company] to develop markets but now that is curtailed,' he said.

'We are currently exporting to China and will continue but with limited potential to expand in that market. Also the French market we were looking to expand into, and [in] Germany we will be restricted in what we can put through this year. We are not going to have enough product to develop the market and won't be able to keep up with demand,' Thompson said.

Thompson has decided to assess the impact of the changes over the next year before deciding the future of his business.

Guy released a discussion document on the changes in June. More than 150 submissions were received. Most supported a ban on the commercial harvest of longfin eel.

'I note that there will be an economic impact on commercial eel fishers, but I consider the reduction is necessary to ensure the long term sustainability of the longfin eel,' Guy said.

The decision was informed by a stock assessment of South Island eel completed last year.

The minister said differing levels of uncertainty about current abundance and trends was reflected in his decision.

A further stock assessment will happen in 2018-19. The Ministry for Primary Industries will review whether the new catch limits are achieving the Government's objectives for longfin and shortfin eels and, if necessary, recommend further adjustments to the catch limits.

Environmental consultant for the South Island eel industry, Bill Chisholm said the new quotas were effectively a ban on longfin eel fishing. He said one tonne equated to about 1000 eels.

He said the previous combined total allowable catch was 35 tonne.

Separating the quota into shortfin and longfin for South Canterbury was a 'very silly thing to do' and removed flexibility, Chisholm said.

He believed the minister's decision was politically motivated, 'cosying up to the Green Party'.

He said the scientific evidence was 'not properly considered'.

The eel industry had considered lodging an appeal against the minister's decision but found the costs prohibitive, Chisholm said.