Firm rules for whitebaiting

Press, 1 September 1982, Page 26

Firm rules for whitebaiting

New Zealanders are renowned for their knowledge of rules and regulations, when they are caught doing what they should not. How many times have we heard the saying: "Is that right?" or “I have been going this for years and thought it was all right.” After many years of whitebaiting. the "admission must be made that I have never read a copy of the regulations. The following notes are not a complete summary of regulations, but may prove helpful for the season which opens today in the South Island. Open season • North Island: August. September, October and November. • South Island except West Coast: September, October and November. • South Island West Coast: September, October to November 14.

• Chatham Islands: December, January and February. Fishing is permitted between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. only. Except during the open season, whitebait must not be injured or disturbed. Net size

No net is to exceed 4.5 .metres in circumference around the mouth.

Method 1. You may use one net only and must remain within 10 metres of it when it is in the water. 2. Nets set from the same bank may not be placed abreast or nearly abreast of each other.

3. Do not use or set your net within 10 metres of a net set from the opposite bank. Screens You may use a flat, portable screen in waters which are more than six metres in width provided: 9 The screen does not exceed three metres in length and is used only between the net and water's edge. • The combined length of screen plus net does not exceed one third the width of the stream, channel, etc. ® The screen is used only at right angles to. the flow of current. @ The screen is removed from the water each day when you cease fishing. Structures and places Fishing is not permitted within 20 metres of the confluence of any river, stream or estuary with . another river, stream or estuary nor from any boat or pontoon. Neither is fishing permitted within 20 metres of any weir, floodgate, tidegate, bridge pier, artificial groyne or any structure except a structure currently licensed under the harbours regulations and which does not cause, or is likely to 'cause whitebait to shoal.

Information concerning licensing of structures may be obtained from the Ministry of Transport, Private Bag. Wellington. Interference with or alteration of the natural bed or banks of a river, stream, etc., is not permitted since it could lead to erosion. Registered stands The only area where stands can be registered is the West Coast of the South Island. Physically handicapped persons There is provision? in the regulations for them to fish from a boat providing they comply with the following:— • The boat must be moored fore and aft to the bank. @ No screens are to be used while fishing from the boat. ® Only one net may be used while fishing from the boat. ® The boat may only be used in areas on the fiver which are not accessible to persons fishing from the riverbank.

• Any person accompanying the handicapped in the boat will not fish for whitebait or handle the net.

Before any fishing is done the handicapped person must have written permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, to use a boat. This permit must be renewed annually. For further information regarding any of the regulations petaining to whitebaiting, contact the nearest branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The great outdoors with FRANK TOON