Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Whitebait Fishers Advised To Wash Catch From Opaoa River

Whitebait fishers advised to wash catch from Opaoa River

With the whitebait season now open, Marlborough District Council is advising people fishing for the delicacy in the urban Opaoa (Opawa) River in Blenheim to thoroughly wash their catch in fresh water, due to raised E. coli levels in the river.

Karen Winter, Council’s Environmental Health Officer says as a precautionary measure, whitebait fishers should wash both their catch and their hands in fresh water or under the tap at home.

“Whitebaiters’ hands could get contaminated from river water and there’s also a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. While you may not get sick from eating a cooked whitebait fritter, you could get ill from utensils or other foods prepared in the same kitchen.”

“People who sell or gift whitebait may also be passing on the risk of infection is they do not thoroughly wash their catch and equipment.”

Following the November 2016 earthquake, Council video inspections of wastewater pipes and DNA source-tracking found that E.coli was entering the Taylor River from damaged pipes. Duck and dog poo are also known sources of contaminants.

While recent testing has shown a significant fall in overall E. coli levels in both the Opaoa and Taylor rivers over the last six months, it is not known whether this downward trend will continue. Higher E. coli levels were found in samples in April and June during rainfall when the water was dirtier.

The Opaoa River water sampling site is halfway between the Taylor confluence and where the Opaoa flows into the Wairau River near the coast.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Overall Marlborough’s rivers and swimming spots have generally very good environmental indicators and are in good shape. Other whitebaiting rivers are not affected; however following good food safety practices and washing whitebait is recommended.

People can go the Council’s website for more information at: https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/recreation/swimming-and-boating/swimming-locations which also links into the national LAWA water quality website.

Water quality is monitored on a monthly basis at 34 sites as part of the Marlborough region’s state of the environment monitoring. Weekly testing begins at some sites from early November, in time for the summer swimming season.

Further information on whitebait and food safety can also be found at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/community-food/whitebait/


ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.