DOC reminds whitebaiters to follow the rules 31 Jul 2015
Related articles
- Niki Roderick Extends Depth To New Zealand Record Sport
- NZ More Interested in All Whites than All Blacks Sport
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Snow on The Remarkables Living
- Team Selected for Ultimate Ride Jet-ski Sport
- Trubridge Triumphs With Unassisted Freedive Record Sport
- New Zealand 2011 Business Club launched Business
- 300 feet down: two bare feet and one breath of air Living
- Wyatt claims title Sport
Department of Conservation
Friday July 31, 2015
DOC reminds whitebaiters to follow the rules as season begins
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is reminding whitebaiters to be aware of whitebait regulations, as the 2015 season begins in a couple of weeks.
The whitebaiting season runs from August 15 until November 30, everywhere except the West Coast - where it runs from September 1 to November 14.
DOC freshwater scientist Jane Goodman says regulations allow fishing and include conservation measures necessary to provide some protection for the native fish we call whitebait so they’re here for future generations to admire and enjoy.
Whitebait are juveniles of five species of native fish: shortjaw kokopu, giant kokopu, inanga, koaro and banded kokopu. Those that escape the whitebait net grow into adults ranging from about 9 cm to 50 cm long. They spawn in streamside vegetation.
“Whitebait are iconic in New Zealand. Unfortunately their numbers have declined. We need to ensure we fish them responsibly and protect their habitat,” says Jane Goodman.
“It’s good to see more conservation measures occurring, such as planting and fencing spawning grounds, as well as restoration of adult whitebait habitat.”
Some instream structures stop whitebait migrating upstream to adult habitat.
“We urge people to contact their local DOC or Regional Council office, if they see overhanging culverts, that stop whitebait migrating,” says Jane Goodman.
Whitebaiting is permitted between 5am and 8pm or between 6 am and 9pm when daylight saving starts on September 28.
DOC rangers will be patrolling whitebaiting sites and talking to whitebaiters throughout the season to ensure people are complying with the regulations.
“Illegal whitebaiting carries a maximum fine of $5000 and whitebaiting equipment can be seized,” says Jane Goodman.
DOC administers regulations that cover fishing methods, location, legal fishing times and net size. “This allows young fish to get upstream, to mature and breed, and ensure whitebait are here in the future,” says Jane Goodman.
Pamphlets with the regulations are at DOC offices and sporting shops and DOC’s website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/whitebait
To prevent the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests, DOC reminds whitebaiters to check, clean and dry their gear before moving to a different river.
ends
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more