DOC says it's very pleased with the positive attitude and compliance from whitebaiters around the region, after checking rivers yesterday in a joint operation with other agencies.
DOC rangers joined forces with the Police, the Waimakariri District Council and Christchurch City Council and patrolled the Ōtākaro/Avon, Waimakariri, Kaiapoi, Pūharakekenui/Styx Rivers and Otipua/Saltwater Creek, speaking to hundreds of fishers.
DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says there were 6 alleged offences observed in total which will be followed up, with possible outcomes ranging from no further action, a warning letter or a fine. Serious or repeat offences can lead to a prosecution.
"What's really pleasing this season, is that 95 per cent of the fishers were adhering or wanting to adhere to the rules and are out there "naturing" on the rivers and catching a feed. Small pockets of tension arise due to the commercial value of whitebait and that's generally where more serious deliberate offending occurs," he says.
Andy Thompson says he would like to see whitebait fishers do more to advocate for and protect the environment near the whitebait habitats.
"There are incidents of riverbank modification, and this is not something we want to see. I'd love to see fishers getting involved in restoration projects and habitat protection. They are out there enjoying the environment we want to encourage them to actively give back to nature. We see many in the hunting and tramping space working actively in conservation and it makes a real difference to the work we do at DOC," he says.
"Ngāi Tūāhuriri also really take a leadership role in this space. They have customary fishing rights and are active as kaitiaki (guardians). We want to see all fishers to see themselves as guardians to protect the fishing resource and surrounding habitats for future generations."
The whitebait season runs from September 1 to October 30 in New Zealand, with fishing permitted from 6 am to 9 pm.
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