Bounties were even paid for eels to encourage their extermination. Studies have been widely cited as a reason now not to pursue eel eradication programmes as they do not endanger trout fisheries. It should be remembered that large brown trout are also fish predators and prey on glass eels, elvers and whitebait. They have also been implicated in the reduction of a number of native species either through predation or competition for food or spatial habitat. Both are caught as a by-catch when fyke netting, but their distributions do not overlap.
Conflict sometimes occurs between trout fishers and commercial eeling regarding use of the waterway.
The presence of eel fishers using a boat or tending their nets can spook trout thus spoiling a trout fisher's day. However, the majority of complaints by trout fishers are directed towards jet boaters and other trout fishers that spoil their solitary experience rather than eelers. Conversely other recreational users occasionally interface with eel fisher's gear, so the process cuts both ways. The committee works with Fish and Game Council on the basis that both parties complement the desire to address together the issues reported above and enhance the quality of the freshwater environment. Proposals being considered under the Resource Management Act that may affect eels do not always come to the attention of the committee.