Bay of Plenty of empty whitebait nets

Picture / Alan Gibson

Whitebait has become something of a rare delicacy in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Large numbers of whitebaiters line riverbanks, but Department of Conservation staff patrolling the region's favourite spots have found most have barely enough for a fritter.

Field officer Nancy Willems says many whitebaiters have indicated it has been a tough season. She says heavy rain and flooding may have been responsible for flushing out eggs in spawning areas, although it could just be a slow season.

* Nelson's commercial scallop season will start next week. The Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company has confirmed the season will open on Tuesday, and chief executive Russell Mincher expects it will start with about 40 boats.

- NZPA