Wetlands have a profound effect on the eel fishery. They provide excellent areas in which to live and grow. Short-fin eels have adapted specifically to live in wetlands and thrive in this environment. The committee believes that wetlands should be available for eel fishing as it contributes to the local and national economy and is important for the cultural requirements of Maori communities. The practice of eel fishing is non-invasive, does not damage other flora and fauna, and can aid in the productivity of the wetland through the sustainable removal of a top predator.
Wetlands form other important functions by acting as a nutrient scrubber and sediment trap.
Because of the abundance of plant life and the reduced water flows, they can increase the chemical quality and clarity of the water passing through them. While the committee acknowledges the problems associated with the infestation and spread of noxious weeds, there are many cases where the committee feels that clearing of waterways is unnecessary. In particular, removal methods that result in bank and substrate damage and the removal of riparian vegetation are unacceptable. It is possible to develop ways to ensure drainage in these streams without decimating the populations that live in them. There is a need to research the effect caused by the various forms of chemical and mechanical weed control on the aquatic ecosystem, and for the local government authority to ensure an upgrade to more appropriate and sensitive means of application.