The Ministry for Primary Industries will not be prosecuting the Hawke's Bay Regional Council over the deaths of potentially hundreds of native eels, killed during drain works carried out earlier this year.
The council says it's the right move because it's now completely changed the way it digs drains to prevent eels from being harmed.
But the man who discovered the dead eels, sparking MPI's investigation, says its decision not to prosecute is appalling.
Hawke's Bay reporter, Anusha Bradley has the story.