What are the rules for whitebait fishing?
Whitebait fishing is only allowed where water levels are affected by the tide. Back pegs will mark this limit in some rivers….Fishing is not allowed within 20 m of any:
- tide gate.
- floodgate.
- confluence.
- culvert.
- weir.
- groyne.
- outfall structure, or.
- unlawful diversion.
Are you allowed to sell whitebait?
The guts is that whitebait is excluded from requiring a registered risk management programme certification and can be sold legally without meeting the standard food safety requirements. This is because it has been determined a low-risk product when balanced against the compliance costs and consumption level.
What time can you whitebait till?
Whitebaiting is only permitted between the hours of 5:00 am – 8:00 pm, or 6:00 am – 9:00 pm after daylight savings starts. The majority of Otago’s whitebait species are either threatened or at risk, so make sure you fish for them responsibly.
Can you catch whitebait at night?
“Contrary to popular opinion, we’ve discovered that under clear sky conditions, fish are actively migrating at night. It was always thought that whitebait only travelled upstream during daylight hours. Whitebait can travel up to 18 km over 36 hours, and their maximum migration speed is about 1.5 km per hour.”
How much is a kg of whitebait?
Wholesale prices for West Coast whitebait range between $60 and $70 a kilo but retail prices vary.
What is one of the new rules about whitebait fishing?
Fishing methods Minimum distance of 20 m between fixed fishing gear, except when used from stands. Only one fishing net can be used from a stand. Maximum length of all fishing gear cannot exceed a quarter of a channel’s width. Fixed fishing gear is gear set on the riverbed to catch fish, except when used from stands.
How much is a kilo of whitebait?
What are the new whitebait laws?
What is whitebait NZ?
What are whitebait? The word whitebait does not refer to a single species. It is a general term used in many countries to describe small freshwater fish that are tender and edible. In New Zealand it describes the juvenile forms (around 4–5 centimetres long) of five species of the fish family Galaxiidae.
How much is whitebait in NZ?
Wholesale prices for West Coast whitebait range between $60 to $70 a kilo but retail prices vary.
When should I go Whitebaiting?
Often the best catches of whitebait are made a few days either side of the full moon, on the highest of tides. Having tide tables on hand will allow you to predict the best times to go fishing. Better catches of whitebait are often made after there has been some rain, which increases the rivers flow.
Why do whitebait swim upstream?
The outgoing tide carries them out to sea for the winter. Juveniles (whitebait). In the springtime, they swim back to estuaries, and upstream to fresh water. Adults.
What type of fish is whitebait NZ?
migratory galaxiids
Inanga (Galaxias maculatus) are the most common native fish species caught as whitebait. The other species that make up the whitebait catch are banded kokopu, giant kokopu, kōaro and shortjaw kokopu. These species are all migratory galaxiids.
What is the law on Whitebait in New Zealand?
(1) No person shall fish for whitebait in any waters or places in the North Island or the South Island during the period commencing on 1 December in any year and ending with the close of 14 August in the next year, or be in possession of any whitebait taken from any of those waters or places during that period. (2)
Where can I find the new whitebait fishing regulations (2021)?
The new Whitebait Fishing Regulations (2021) have now been released and can be found on the Government Legislation website.
When is whitebait fishing season in New Zealand?
The taking of whitebait at all other times is prohibited. Fishing season dates 2021. All of New Zealand except West Coast and Chatham Islands: 15 August to 30 November inclusive. West Coast: 1 September to 14 November inclusive. Chatham Islands: 1 December to 28 February 2022 inclusive. Fishing season dates for 2022 and future
Do you need an authorisation to whitebait on public land?
Whitebait Fishing Regulations and Compliance | West Coast NZ Whitebait Fishing Regulations and Compliance The Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Act 2019 has now been passed. The important consequence for whitebaiters is that when put into practice authorisation will be required to whitebait on public land managed by DOC.