Lake Pokawa is a small, shallow wetland located approximately 15 km south of Hastings. The lake is an important landmark for the hapu of Ngai Te Rangikoanaki, people of Te Huke in which they exercise their cultural rights. The land was owned by the hapu before the 1800s. The land was previously used for commercial eel fishing in the 1960s and 1970s. But Mitchell (1984) recommends that commercial fishing be prohibited. In 9196, a survey of the eel stock was carried out and indicated that the eels were in good condition and that the stock quantity was recovering (Jelly and Bonnett, 1996). Additionally, although commercial fishing is prohibited, it is practiced informally. As a result, commercial fishing is prohibited. However, the local population; The Tnagata whenua are authorized to benefit from a fishing quota, in order to preserve their cultural rights (Jelly and Bonnett, 1996; Mitchell, 1984). For the Te Hueke hapu, the decline of the lake's eels, whose resources are severely depleted, is relevant to the cultural aspects of the people. The history of the lake is directly linked to the lake's eels and the mana of the Te Wheao chief (Hawkes Bay Regional Council, 1988). In turn, according to a 2009 Hawkes Bay Regional Council (HBRIC) study, there are fewer juvenile eels than optimal eels in the lake. The importance of habitat and continued access is of paramount importance to maintaining the eel population. Additionally, any lesser drop in water levels would be detrimental. There had already been problems with stocking and controlling eels. Between 1996 and 2001, a survey of eel stocks was carried out by the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA), Research Ltd, New Zealand. Comparing the two surveys, NIWA recognized the average size...... middle of paper...... agriculture and fisheries. 17 p. Barbrin, GP and Kreuger WH (1994). Behavior and swimming performance of American eelfish, Anguilla rostrata, in an experimental channel. Journal of Fish Biology 45, 111-121. Knights, B. (1982). Body size of farmed eels (Anguilla anguilla L.). in relation to condition factor, sex classification and diet. Aquaculture Engineering 1, 297-310. Knights B., White e and Naismith, IA (1996). Stock assessment of European eels, Anguilla Anguilla L. In: IG Cowx (ed.). Stock assessment in inland fisheries, Oxford: Fishing News Book, pp. 413-446.Liew. P. (1982). Impact of the eel ladder on upstream migrating eels. (Anguilla rostrata) population of the St. Lawrence River in Cornwall; 1974=78. In KH Loftus (ed.), Proceedong fo the 1980 North American Eel Conference. Ontario Fisheries Technical Report Series No. 4, pp.. 17-22.