Freeing up migration routes crucial to the survival of our native fish is to be the topic of a symposium starting in Wellington today.
The two day symposium will see the Department of Conservation, councils, engineers and scientists come together to work out how to free up migratory routes for eels and other native fish.
Greater Wellington Regional Council's Anna Burrows said it is important waterways provide the best habitat for native fish, but solutions should be practical and cost effective.
"There definitely is a threat to native species, and it's one of those things that we can fix relatively easily in many situations.
"Quite often it can be quite easy to remove a structure, and that can have a big impact and it can open up a lot more habitat up stream."