You can help
Planting turns your streamside from an
eroded, bare bank (left side), to a place
that provides food, shelter and shade
for whitebait (right side)
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.
Here's how you can help
- Fence and plant your local stream
- Report any dams or overhanging culverts to your local Department of Conservation or Regional Council office
- Follow the whitebait fishing regulations
- Keep your catch small and only take what you need
- Release species that are not whitebait
- Keep streams free from pest plants and fish
Check, Clean, Dry
Stop 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/didymo or www.doc.govt.nz/stopthespread.
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