Shortfin and longfin eels are an important resource from both a human/cultural use and biodiversity perspective.

Worldwide production of eels is estimated to be worth over $US 1 billion annually, with 233,589 tonnes of eel produced each year.

One of the greatest threats to indigenous fish species which follow a catadromous life cycle (i.e., starting life at sea but then migrating into freshwater) are barriers that prevent or delay migrations between freshwater and marine environments.

Much of the habitat that was formerly available to eels has been lost through practices like the wetland drainage and river channelling.

Freshwater eel populations around the world are in steep decline.

New Zealand longfins are one of the largest eel species in the world.

Freshwater eels have an unusual life cycle which sees them travelling between the ocean, estuaries and freshwaters.

We need information on the food web structures of our marine ecosystems in order to manage the effects on the ecosystem of fishing, aquaculture and mining, as well as understanding the potential impacts of climate variability and change on our oceans. 

NIWA scientists have worked for many years on Antarctic atmospheric processes and aquatic ecosystems.