The whitebaiting regulations need revising.

7 Comments

  1. Leon Couper says "As it seems a lot of the younger whitebaiters that may have not followed the cycle of whitebait seem to think they only run in the given times of our season. (ie 15th of August to the 30th of November. This is not right, whitebait can and will run at any time of the year. I have seen whitebait in this river The Takaka in may and june at chrismas time and also february so those fish will be up the river to come back and spawn. This year is no different to other years I have seen when they have not run. I myself think whitebait are very much like other fish and run a cycle which is over a seven year cycle. The river run well in 2007 and 2008 and this year being the third year there may not be a run at all.( back to what was said earlier in the story gone up the river early. I would agree that the habitat is a big thing that may have an affect on the decline in the bait but I also saw a program on Countly Calander farming whitebait in the North Island and low and behold they were using a protein of fermented cow manure so prehaps cleaning our rivers up which the mussell farmers want may not be helping the whitebait either. W"

    September 18th, 2009 at 01:51 PM

  2. Hika says "When was the last time the Rules were overhauled? It seems DOC has put the Sock Net issue in the to hard baskett. Traps should be banned from all nets Sock, Scoop & set nets so you actually have a hands on approach catching a feed. How is it that a White baiter can sell white bait with out a permit or a licence? Over the years i have caught Flounder Kawhai Mullet Eel & Trout in my White bait net at the mouth of the river as well as the White bait. What would happen to me if i tried to sell off those fish speceis along with my whitebait? Some Greedy Master Baiters are at the River most days fishing with maxium size nets with screens and double traps 80lb catches have been taken by these fishers if they were not abel to sell there catch they would not be on the River. Commercial Fisherman pay big bucks for the right to harvest other speceis of fish why not the commercial whitebaiters?"

    September 18th, 2009 at 02:13 PM

  3. AWW says "I would like to see whitebait become a recreational specie and a daily quota except those with a registered stand"

    September 19th, 2009 at 10:55 AM

  4. anon says "Trap nets should be banned ,then it would actually be a Sport.At present the whitebaiters dont have to pick them up until the end of the day and some havent even been near their nets all day-thats not sport. Jettys like the one on the Aorere should be banned.There should be more emphasis on cleaning and drying gear to prevent the spread of didymo to rivers in the west of GB. "

    September 19th, 2009 at 08:10 PM

  5. ann says " I agree with Hika.The commercial whitebaiters are greedy and the days of going down to the river and catching a meal doesn't happen now very often. I think D.O.C have taken a very weak stance on the whole issue and put it in the too hard basket. It's nonsence to say (and I quote D.O.C )"only take what you need" It would be interesting to hear what the reply is from a commercial whitebaiter.Huge catches in sock nets day after day and they would presumably only be satisfied when their supply exceeds the demand.I also believe you should have to play an active part in whitebaiting as you do in all fishing. Perhaps M.A.F should get involved. "

    September 20th, 2009 at 01:06 PM

  6. mike says "I watched Country Calendar this evening and was appauled to see this couple making their main ioncome from a resource belonging to all New Zealanders at no cost to them. I shoot ducks and pheasants and catch trout and pay for the priviledge. None of what I shoot r catch can be sold and the licence fees go towards research and hibitat. These commercial whitebaiters are raping the environment with no consideration for future generations."

    April 14th, 2012 at 08:23 PM

  7. mike says "I watched Country Calendar this evening and was appauled to see this couple making their main ioncome from a resource belonging to all New Zealanders at no cost to them. I shoot ducks and pheasants and catch trout and pay for the priviledge. None of what I shoot r catch can be sold and the licence fees go towards research and hibitat. These commercial whitebaiters are raping the environment with no consideration for future generations."

    April 14th, 2012 at 08:23 PM

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