Wellington, May 27 NZPA - The Maori Party is pleased to see iwi and fishing authorities are working to save native long-finned eels.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa and Bay of Plenty iwi were leading work to conserve eel fisheries, Maori MP Rahui Katene said.

The Government needs to do the same to protect New Zealand's fisheries, she said.

"It is fantastic that iwi are taking initiative to ensure they (long-finned eel) don't become extinct."

A two-day workshop will be held in Whakatane to discuss ecological sustainability in the commercial eel industry.