Check, Clean, DryStop the spread of didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) and other freshwater pests. Didymo is an exotic alga that invades waterways. To prevent the spread of freshwater pests such as didymo, always Check, Clean, Dry all footwear

(including waders), vehicles, fishing equipment and other items before entering, and when moving between, waterways. For more information and specific cleaning guidelines, go to: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/cleaning or www.doc.govt.nz/stopthespread.

Further information

If you have any further enquiries, please contact your nearest Department of Conservation office, http://www.doc.govt.nz/footer-links/contact-us/.

For further information about recreation activities and conservation, visit: www.doc.govt.nz.

BETWEEN WATERWAYS

Planting turns your streamside from an eroded, bare bank (left side), to a place that provides food, shelter and shade for whitebait (right side).

Photo: Ian Welsh.

Whitebait fishing regulations— a summary

The Department of Conservation is responsible for managing New Zealand’s whitebait fisheries. The regulations summarised here are for the whole of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island1. Please observe the regulations and conserve our species.

Fishing seasonIn all areas of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, the whitebait fishing season is open between 15 August and 30 November (inclusive). The Chatham Islands season runs from 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive).

The taking of whitebait at all other times is prohibited. Fishing is only permitted between 5 am and 8 pm OR between 6 am and 9 pm when New Zealand Daylight Saving is being observed.

Fishing gear‘Fishing gear’ includes all nets, screens, lines or other devices that are used, or are capable of being used, to take whitebait. ‘Drag net’ means any net or any rope, material or device used in conjunction with the net that is a) weighted on the bottom edge, and b) operated by surrounding any whitebait and being drawn through any water.

Whitebait nets must have a mouth no larger than 4.5 m (measured around the inside of the net frame) and framing material no wider than 120 mm. Drag nets must be no taller than 1 m in height and be flat when laid on a flat surface. Both whitebait nets and drag nets must be no more than 3.5 m in length.

No fishing gear shall:•exceed more than one-third of the water channel width•be used in conjunction with another person’s gear to exceed more

than one-third of the channel width

•exceed 6 m in total length

No person shall set or use more than one whitebait net at a time. Every person who sets or uses a whitebait net must remain within 10 m of the net. Fishing gear must be removed from the water at the end of fishing or the end of the day, whichever is earlier.

No person shall possess whitebait in conjunction with any whitebait net that is not permitted to be used under the whitebait regulations, whether or not that net is being used for fishing at the time.

GeneralUnlawfully taken fish must be immediately returned to the waters from which they were obtained, taking care to ensure their survival. No person shall discard or dump on shore any fish taken when fishing for whitebait.

No person shall fish for whitebait within 20 m of any tide gate, flood gate, confluence or culvert, or fish from any bridge, or from any vessel. Nothing in these regulations permits any person fishing for whitebait to interfere with, alter or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary or channel.

PenaltiesPersons offending against these regulations may be fined up to $5000.

1 This pamphlet summarises the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 1994 and 1995 amendments. It is a guide only, has no legal standing, and does not contain all the rules. Please familiarise yourself with the full regulations, obtainable at any Bennetts Government Bookshop, or online at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1994/0065/latest/DLM189522.html.

Regulations differ for the West Coast. A summary of these is available at www.doc.govt.nz/coastwhitebait or from DOC’s West Coast Tai Poutini office, phone (03) 756 9100.

Our precious native fish

Whitebait, those tiny, transparent creatures found swimming up our streams, are the young of some of New Zealand’s precious native fish. Some of the species you are likely to catch in your whitebait net are inanga, kōaro, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu, shortjaw kōkopu, smelt, bullies and juvenile eels. The first five are considered ‘true’ whitebait.

Whitebaiting, Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty.

Photo: Herb Christophers.

whitebaiter’sThe

to whitebaitguide

Cover photo: Rob Suisted/naturespic.com.

1.25 mmax

1.25 mmax

Help!

Whitebait are in decline—we are losing more of them each year. Mostly, this is due to a lack of clean, healthy rivers and streams for the adult fish. Barriers, such as dams and overhanging culverts, also block migrating whitebait from reaching what clean streams remain. Introduced fish, such as the pest fish gambusia and sports fish such as trout, compete for habitat and prey on our native species. Introduced plants clog up the places where whitebait live.

Planting and fencing stream edges can lead to better whitebaiting in future years. The adults love bush-covered streams and the young whitebait are attracted to the streams where adults live. Fencing waterways stops stock from trampling the plants and banks where fish take cover, and from crushing whitebait eggs. Dams and overhanging culverts can also be altered or removed to allow young whitebait to reach adult habitat, increasing the number that develop to breeding age. More adult galaxiids means more whitebait in the future.

As a whitebaiter, help sustain the fishery

•Follow the whitebait fishing regulations•Keep your catch small and only take what you need •Release species that are not whitebait•Whitebait that climb are rare, please put them back•Keep streams free from pest plants and fish•Report any dams or overhanging culverts to your local

Department of Conservation or Regional Council office•Get involved in a community project to fence and plant

local streams.

Published by: Department of Conservation Whakatū / Nelson Office Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 New Zealand July 2015

Editing and design: Publishing Team, DOC National Office

This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.

There are risks with whitebaiting. Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of friends, family and yourself when carrying out recreational activities around waterways.

Check, Clean, DryStop the spread of didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) and other freshwater pests. Didymo is an exotic alga that invades waterways. To prevent the spread of freshwater pests such as didymo, always Check, Clean, Dry all footwear

(including waders), vehicles, fishing equipment and other items before entering, and when moving between, waterways. For more information and specific cleaning guidelines, go to: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/cleaning or www.doc.govt.nz/stopthespread.

Further information

If you have any further enquiries, please contact your nearest Department of Conservation office, http://www.doc.govt.nz/footer-links/contact-us/.

For further information about recreation activities and conservation, visit: www.doc.govt.nz.

BETWEEN WATERWAYS

Planting turns your streamside from an eroded, bare bank (left side), to a place that provides food, shelter and shade for whitebait (right side).

Photo: Ian Welsh.

Whitebait fishing regulations— a summary

The Department of Conservation is responsible for managing New Zealand’s whitebait fisheries. The regulations summarised here are for the whole of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island1. Please observe the regulations and conserve our species.

Fishing seasonIn all areas of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, the whitebait fishing season is open between 15 August and 30 November (inclusive). The Chatham Islands season runs from 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive).

The taking of whitebait at all other times is prohibited. Fishing is only permitted between 5 am and 8 pm OR between 6 am and 9 pm when New Zealand Daylight Saving is being observed.

Fishing gear‘Fishing gear’ includes all nets, screens, lines or other devices that are used, or are capable of being used, to take whitebait. ‘Drag net’ means any net or any rope, material or device used in conjunction with the net that is a) weighted on the bottom edge, and b) operated by surrounding any whitebait and being drawn through any water.

Whitebait nets must have a mouth no larger than 4.5 m (measured around the inside of the net frame) and framing material no wider than 120 mm. Drag nets must be no taller than 1 m in height and be flat when laid on a flat surface. Both whitebait nets and drag nets must be no more than 3.5 m in length.

No fishing gear shall:• exceed more than one-third of the water channel width• be used in conjunction with another person’s gear to exceed more

than one-third of the channel width

• exceed 6 m in total length

No person shall set or use more than one whitebait net at a time. Every person who sets or uses a whitebait net must remain within 10 m of the net. Fishing gear must be removed from the water at the end of fishing or the end of the day, whichever is earlier.

No person shall possess whitebait in conjunction with any whitebait net that is not permitted to be used under the whitebait regulations, whether or not that net is being used for fishing at the time.

GeneralUnlawfully taken fish must be immediately returned to the waters from which they were obtained, taking care to ensure their survival. No person shall discard or dump on shore any fish taken when fishing for whitebait.

No person shall fish for whitebait within 20 m of any tide gate, flood gate, confluence or culvert, or fish from any bridge, or from any vessel. Nothing in these regulations permits any person fishing for whitebait to interfere with, alter or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary or channel.

PenaltiesPersons offending against these regulations may be fined up to $5000.

1 This pamphlet summarises the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 1994 and 1995 amendments. It is a guide only, has no legal standing, and does not contain all the rules. Please familiarise yourself with the full regulations, obtainable at any Bennetts Government Bookshop, or online at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1994/0065/latest/DLM189522.html.

Regulations differ for the West Coast. A summary of these is available at www.doc.govt.nz/coastwhitebait or from DOC’s West Coast Tai Poutini office, phone (03) 756 9100.

Our precious native fish

Whitebait, those tiny, transparent creatures found swimming up our streams, are the young of some of New Zealand’s precious native fish. Some of the species you are likely to catch in your whitebait net are inanga, kōaro, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu, shortjaw kōkopu, smelt, bullies and juvenile eels. The first five are considered ‘true’ whitebait.

Whitebaiting, Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty.

Photo: Herb Christophers.

whitebaiter’sThe

towhitebaitguide

Cover photo: Rob Suisted/naturespic.com.

1.25 mmax

1.25 mmax

Help!

Whitebait are in decline—we are losing more of them each year. Mostly, this is due to a lack of clean, healthy rivers and streams for the adult fish. Barriers, such as dams and overhanging culverts, also block migrating whitebait from reaching what clean streams remain. Introduced fish, such as the pest fish gambusia and sports fish such as trout, compete for habitat and prey on our native species. Introduced plants clog up the places where whitebait live.

Planting and fencing stream edges can lead to better whitebaiting in future years. The adults love bush-covered streams and the young whitebait are attracted to the streams where adults live. Fencing waterways stops stock from trampling the plants and banks where fish take cover, and from crushing whitebait eggs. Dams and overhanging culverts can also be altered or removed to allow young whitebait to reach adult habitat, increasing the number that develop to breeding age. More adult galaxiids means more whitebait in the future.

As a whitebaiter, help sustain the fishery

• Follow the whitebait fishing regulations• Keep your catch small and only take what you need • Release species that are not whitebait• Whitebait that climb are rare, please put them back• Keep streams free from pest plants and fish• Report any dams or overhanging culverts to your local

Department of Conservation or Regional Council office• Get involved in a community project to fence and plant

local streams.

Published by: Department of Conservation Whakatū / Nelson Office Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 New Zealand July 2015

Editing and design: Publishing Team, DOC National Office

This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.

There are risks with whitebaiting. Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of friends, family and yourself when carrying out recreational activities around waterways.

Kōaro (Galaxias brevipinnis)Kōaro are accomplished climbers, being able to negotiate near-vertical waterfalls using specially formed broad fins that have a grippy texture underneath. Living for 15 years or more, kōaro travel as far as 400 km inland, and climb as high as 1300 m. These solitary fish are often found in fast-flowing, cool, tussock or forest streams. They commonly grow to about 160–180 mm, but can reach 290 mm. In bright light, their skin shines with iridescence.

Banded kōkopu (Galaxias fasciatus)As the name suggests, banded kōkopu have pale vertical stripes across their sides. Also called Mäori or native trout, they dwell in pools with overhanging banks, logs and boulders. Like other galaxiids, banded kōkopu have sensors on their heads to detect when and where something hits the water, enabling them to feed on insects that fall from overhanging plants. They are good climbers and can be found up to 550 m above sea level. Most grow to around 200 mm long, but they can reach 260 mm. Banded kōkopu need stream-side plants to survive.

Shortjaw kōkopu (Galaxias postvectis)Shortjaw kōkopu are rare, secretive and seldom seen. As the name suggests, they have an undercut jaw, which is probably designed to scrape aquatic insects from rocks. Shortjaw kōkopu usually grow to between 150 and 200 mm, but can reach 370 mm. Mostly found at low to moderate elevations, they inhabit bouldery forest streams. They can only survive in certain types of habitat, many of which have been degraded by forest clearance, which has probably contributed to their rarity. Shortjaw kōkopu are unique to New Zealand.

The five main species of whitebait—inanga, kōaro, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu, and shortjaw kōkopu—belong to the Galaxiidae family, which was named after the Milky Way galaxy, as the very first species described was sprinkled with dazzling spots.

Whitebait

Photo: Rod Morris.

Photo: Dr Paddy Ryan.Photo: Rod Morris.

Inanga (Galaxias maculatus)Inanga are found in a wide variety of habitats, from tiny creeks, to coastal rivers, lowland streams, lakes and wetlands. They are the odd-balls amongst the whitebait species, having adults that swim together in shoals. Inanga are small and short-lived, with most only surviving for 1 year and reaching around 100 mm in length—although the longest on record is 190 mm. Because they are poor climbers, inanga are usually found near the coast. Their silvery belly and somewhat forked tail make them easy to distinguish. Found in places as far flung as Chile, Australia and Argentina, inanga are the most widely distributed native freshwater fish in the world. They are New Zealand’s most commonly caught species.

Giant kōkopu. Photo: Dr Paddy Ryan.

Giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus)As the name suggests, giant kōkopu are the largest of all the galaxiids, not only in New Zealand, but around the world. Although individuals are usually 300–400 mm long, one specimen has been found weighing 2.8 kg and measuring 580 mm long. Not the most adept of climbers, giant kōkopu are generally found close to the sea. They inhabit wetlands, lakes and forest streams, and rely on good bush surrounds. Giant kōkopu are skulking predators, lurking under cover and making speedy dashes to nab their prey. They are slow-growing and can live for more than 20 years. Like the banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu are also called native or Māori trout.

Grow to adults in favoured habitat

Adults lay eggs in streamside vegetation and leaf-litter

Eggs laid and hatch during flood events

Larvae flushed out to estuary or sea

Juvenile ‘whitebait’ swim upstream

Photo: Rob Suisted/naturespic.com.

Illustration: Sonia Frimmel.

Although galaxiid species are found in many places in the Southern Hemisphere, the giant, shortjaw and banded kōkopu only exist in New Zealand. Our galaxiids are generally nocturnal and very good at hiding. They love bushy streams, where they find both shelter and food, with a rain of insects falling from the overhanging plants.

The main breeding season for our galaxiids is autumn. Inanga migrate downstream to estuaries

and lay their eggs among plants and grasses, whereas kōaro and kōkopu stay where they are and lay their eggs on leaf litter and forest plants. The eggs stay out of water for several weeks, and need good plant cover to keep moist. They hatch when re-immersed, either by spring tides (for inanga) or floods (for kōaro and kōkopu). The larvae then float out to sea where they live and grow over winter, migrating back upstream as whitebait in spring.