Media release

15 August 2016

Whitebait catches look promising in Otago

Work by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Contact Energy to improve Otago’s whitebait fishery means catches may be better this season following a poor season last year.

With the start of the whitebait season today, DOC is reminding Otago whitebaiters to keep a diary of their catches and time spent on the river so rangers can monitor the state of the fishery. The season runs from August 15 until November 30.

DOC freshwater ranger Ciaran Campbell said catches were poor last season throughout Otago following a few spectacular years. He was hopeful this season would be better than last.

Three of the four whitebait species in Otago are threatened or at risk due to declining numbers and habitat.

“Whitebaiters should only take what they need and think about the sustainability of the fishery for future generations,” Ciaran said.

For several years, DOC has been closely monitoring whitebait numbers and undertaking habitat restoration work in the Clutha River/Mata-Au catchment in South Otago, with the support of Contact Energy. Rangers have also been engaging with local whitebaiters to improve DOC’s knowledge of the fishery. Whitebaiters have provided catch diaries and filled in questionnaires.

Ciaran said feedback from whitebaiters would help DOC decide on further management options to improve the whitebait fishery and ensure the long term survival of inanga and whitebait fishes in the Clutha River/Mata-Au catchment.

He said one issue rangers noticed last season was river banks being damaged by whitebaiters. “We’re encouraging whitebaiters to look after the fishery and surrounding habitat. Damaging riverbanks affects their critical spawning habitat and breaches the whitebait regulations and rules in Otago Regional Council’s Water Plan.

He also reminded whitebaiters to be aware of whitebait regulations. Whitebaiting is permitted each day between 5am and 8pm or, once daylight saving starts on 28 September, between 6am and 9pm.

DOC administers regulations that cover fishing methods, location, legal fishing times and net size. Illegal whitebaiting carries a maximum fine of $5000 and whitebaiting equipment used illegally can be seized and may be forfeited by the Court.

DOC prosecuted whitebaiters in Otago last year for fishing using two sets of gear and for fishing with gear that was too long, with the oversize gear being seized and forfeited. DOC rangers will be talking to whitebaiters on the riverbanks about their gear, the lifecycle of whitebait, listening to their stories and outlining the regulations.

Background information

Whitebait are juveniles of five species of native fish: giant kokopu, banded kokopu, shortjaw kokopu, inanga, and koaro. Those that escape the whitebait net grow into adults ranging from 10 to 60 centimetres long.

Pamphlets with the regulations are at DOC offices and sporting shops and DOC’s website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/whitebait

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