South Canterbury’s eels : towards bicultural management

Abstract

A preliminary proposal for bi-cultural management of the eel resource of South Canterbury, intended as a basis for negotiation with Maori, is developed after review of relevant information available from within the Pakeha culture. The proposal takes into account only previously published Maori viewpoints. Frameworks for development of a bi-cultural partnership in resource management in New Zealand based on the Treaty of Waitangi are described. The importance of eels to Maori and to Pakeha is explored. Although most Pakeha have little interest in eels, there is a significant commercial fishery and associated eel export industry. By contrast, eels are of great significance to Maori, who particularly value them as food. Maori have expressed grave concern at the state of the eel fishery, and attribute its decline to commercial fishing, habitat destruction and pollution. The recently negotiated arrangements for fishing rights are described. Current, and preferred future, management arrangements for the eel fishery are outlined. The proposal for bi-cultural management of South Canterbury eels involves closing some areas to commercial fishing, developing the commercial fishery along lines negotiated at national level, shifting Crown management of the non-commercial eel fishery to the Department of Conservation, and promoting enhancement and restoration of eel habitat through a co-operative working party involving all stakeholders.