Getting bogged down and dirty was Wanganui whitebaiter Rex Moore at Matarawa stream in Kowhai Park yesterday.
With incoming tide slowly rolling in, Mr Moore and a few other hardy chaps were out on the slimy banks under dripping foliage with their nets immersed, all hoping for a catch.
"It's my first time out this season – it's a good way to spend a few hours. I work 6 days a week, so Sunday is it for me it's the only time I can come down and have a go.
The whitebaiting season began at most of the country's estuaries an Saturday tomorrow amidst warnings from the Department of Conservation that whitebaiting was putting further pressure on the country's fragile native fish populations.
Streams and rivers which historically had flourishing numbers of the juvenile fish now contained none at all because of such factors as pollution, wetland drainage, introduced pests and unsustainable fishing methods, DOC said.
It was important to clean and dry all equipment before moving up or between waterways to prevent the spread of the destructive didymo algae, and to stay within 10 metres of your equipment at all times to ensure nets are not left unattended, Doc said.
DOC freshwater fish expert Jane Goodman said rules were in place to help sustain the fishery and asked fishers not to take more than they needed.
" Generally speaking, whitebaiters observe the regulations that help keep a healthy fishery but we all have to be aware of contaminated whitebaiting gear affecting other streams," she said.
"If each stream is treated as if it is contaminated and people check, clean and dry their gear between streams, we can reduce the potential threat and retain a sustainable fishery for future generations.
Baiters off to a slow start
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