June 02, 2021
Whitebait rules fall short for protection
New rules have been announced for whitebaiting, but Forest and Bird says they are fluff around the edges and won’t bring back native fish from the breaking point.
Acting Conservation Minister Ayesha Verrall says changes to be phased in over three years include prohibiting fishing within 20 metres of structures such as weirs and groynes where fish congregate, a one net per stand rule and restricting fishing to estuaries and near river mouths.
From next year the season will be shortened to run from September 1 to October 30.
Dr Verrall says the changes will improve the sustainability of threatened species, while ensuring Kiwis can continue the tradition of catching a feed in their local river.
She says while fishing pressure is a contributing factor to the fact four of the six whitebait species are threatened or at risk of extinction, habitat loss, environmental degradation, impeded fish passage within river systems, loss of spawning sites and introduced fish species are also impacting whitebait numbers.
Forest and Bird freshwater advocate Annabeth Cohen says what’s missing from the announcement are the essentials of fishery management – requiring a fishing license, establishing a catch limit, and having better data collection.
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