The short-finned eel is fished commercially in inland Tasmanian waters. The Inland Fisheries Service manages the fishery, which has an annual catch of about 45 tonnes. It is a limited entry fishery with 12 commercial fishing licences and some 30 fishers seasonally employed in the industry.

Eels are largely exported frozen to Europe and as live product to Asia. Some value-added fish (mainly smoked) are sold on the local market.