The Ministry of Fisheries and the Department of Conservation share the administrative responsibilities for the management and conservation of eels. The Minister of Conservation has primary responsibility for the protection of indigenous freshwater fish, including their unhindered access in waterways and their habitats. The Department of Conservation has no responsibility for the management of the commercial eel fishery or allocation of eel stocks. Conservation Boards and the Conservation Authority oversee the CMS process. DoC administers national parks, reserves and other conservation land within EMC 6.
Lakes are usually the best fishing areas.
The removal of indigenous fauna, including eels, for commercial purposes from national parks is restricted and may only be permitted by the Minister of Conservation if it is provided for in the park management plan. It is otherwise prohibited in all reserves, unless commercial eel fishing was provided for when the reserve was established. On other lands managed under the Conservation Act, commercial eel fishers are required to apply for approval to conduct commercial activities as provided for under Part IIIB in the Conservation Amendment Act 1996. It is intended that permits will then be issued for a period of five years. It is also intended that multi-conservancy permits will be issued but DoC has not yet resolved this issue.