Waterfowl hunting wetlands as habitat for two New Zealand eel species

ABSTRACT New Zealand’s native shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) and endemic longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) have been negatively affected by wetland habitat loss. However, in Southland, open water wetland habitat has been created by hunters in the form of waterfowl hunting wetlands (duck ponds), habitat which can be utilised by eels. The aim of this study was to estimate the number and biomass of eels supported by Southland duck ponds to highlight the value of hunter-created wetlands as eel habitat. Eel population surveys were conducted in 56 duck ponds located on private agricultural land across Southland. Shortfin eels were found in 28 ponds with an average population size of 22 and biomass of 9.3 kg. Longfin eels were found in 26 ponds with an average population size of nine and biomass of 7.6 kg. Estimates indicate there are 7,013 ± (1761) duck ponds in Southland and they collectively support 36,000 shortfin eels weighing 15,500 kg and 60,000 longfin eels weighing 53,000 kg. Results from this study show that duck hunting ponds are utilised by shortfin and longfin eels.