Early settlers named the whitebait species 'Galaxid', after the galaxy, as they thought that the spots on their backs looked like stars in the night sky.


Whitebait catch consists primarily of the young of three species: inanga, koaro and banded kokopu; inanga is by far the most commonly caught species.


Giant kokopu, short-jawed kokopu and smelt are also occasionally present in the whitebait catch along with the young of many other fish such as eels, bullies and trout.


Most whitebait species spend part of their life cycle in fresh water and part in the sea.  However, some have adapted to being landlocked in lakes and no longer have to migrate to the sea to breed e.g. dwarf inanga.

 

In late winter and early spring whitebait migrate back up rivers and streams, finally settling and growing in bush covered streams and swamps. The start of the migration is thought to be influenced by river flows (i.e. shortly after floods) and phases of the moon.

 

Mature inanga adults migrate downstream to lower river sections and estuaries to spawn in grasses covered by water during spring tides. The eggs remain in the grass until the next spring tide covers them again when the young hatch and are carried out to sea. The spawning habits of other whitebait species are not well known.

 

The five galaxiid species are found in many different habitats from lowland swamps to rocky streams. Their presence appears to be closely tied to overhead cover and waterside vegetation.

 

Giant kokopu live in swampy and heavily vegetated streams, often in pools over a mud bottom. Short-jawed kokopu, banded kokopu and koaro prefer fast flowing rocky or boulder bottomed streams with forest cover. Inanga are less "fussy" but are generally found in lower catchment waters.

 

One of the major problems affecting the whitebait fishery is the destruction of habitat for egg laying or adult fish. As whitebait adults tend to live in natural swamps and bush covered streams it is in the best interest of whitebaiters to ensure that adequate areas of these habitats remain.

 

The Department of Conservation has been active in identifying whitebait spawning habitat and arranging for its protection. Protection has involved seeking the co-operation of landowners to have spawning areas fenced off from stock. The Department sees the protection of whitebait spawning habitat as playing a major role in enhancing the lasting viability of the fishery.

 

Another major problem is barriers that stop young fish from getting to adult habitat.

 

Please note that whitebait are native fish and the giant and short-jawed kokopu are under threat in many areas!

 

Your assistance in keeping the whitebait fishery healthy not only benefits you, but the health of New Zealand's natural living systems. Don't take more than you need.

 


 

 

 

National Marine and Freshwater Wananga

Every year The Whitebait Connection's umbrella organisation, the Mountains to Sea Conservation trust (MTSCT), hosts a National Marine and Freshwater Wananga to provide an inspirational professional development and networking opportunity for all those involved or interested in freshwater and marine conservation.

The wananga objectives are to:

• Provide a forum for marine and freshwater educators to network about education for sustainability initiatives & projects. (School and/or community based).
• To provide professional development.
• To provide a forum to discuss ideas on how we can foster and take more action for marine and freshwater conservation.
• Ensure strong delivery of the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) and Whitebait Connection (WBC) concepts around New Zealand.

2013 MTSCT National Marine and Freshwater Wananga in Rawhiti, Bay of Islands

Click here for the programme

Click here for the registration form

Saturday 27th – Monday 29th April, 2013
Te Rawhiti Marae, Bay of Islands

Theme  “Partnerships for marine and freshwater conservation ACTION"
Purpose  An inspirational professional development and networking opportunity for all those involved or interested in freshwater and marine conservation.

Objectives:

  • provide a forum for marine and freshwater educators to network about education for sustainability initiatives & projects and to form effective partnerships
  • provide professional development opportunities
  • provide a forum to discuss the effectiveness of existing and potential partnerships that foster action for marine and freshwater conservation
  • ensure strong delivery of the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) and Whitebait Connection (WBC) concepts around New Zealand
  • raise the profile and value of conservation action "engagement" with a wide range of stakeholders

Wānanga registration will include

  • powhiri at 12 noon on Saturday 27th April
  • marine & freshwater keynote presentations from Dr's Mike Joy and Rochelle Constantine
  • fresh wholesome meals and marae style accommodation over the 3 day conference
  • sunset gourmet beach barbeque conference dinner in the beautiful Bay of Islands
  • marine and freshwater field trips including local conservation initiatives
  • an opportunity to share your own project during ‘show n tell’, displays & facilitated workshops
  • inclusion of local residents, tangata whenua & conservation groups throughout the programme
  • poroporoake and official closing at midday on Monday 29th April
  • an additional day of specialist training workshops for Experiencing Marine Reserves & Whitebait Connection coordinators will follow the wānanga

Registrations essential   $380 waged professional $280 non waged/student/teacher/not for profit

For more information please contact:
Samara Nicholas - Programme Director of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust
Home office: 09 433 8205   Mobile: 0210362019  Email: info@emr.org.nz

 

 

2012 Wananga in Raglan - presentations and proceedings:

Proceedings available here on Thursday 2 February 2012.

Presentations in order of appearance:

EMR presentation - Samara Nicholas

WBC presentation - Kim Jones

Show and Tell presentations:

Dargaville Intermediate (Growing trees for riparian restoration) - Diane Papworth

Update on proposed Mimiwhangata Rahui Tapu (Forst and Bird) - Alan Fleming

Survey conducted on Paua collection rules - Nathan Larry Hills (Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society) 

DoC Education Strategy - Pam Crisp (Department of Conservation – Head Office)

Keynote Presentations

Karen Baird - Pew Environment Group initiative to extend the marine reserve at the Kermadecs to 200 nautical miles.

Dr. Roger Grace on NZ’s marine reserves

 

Keynote Presentations:

New Zealand’s Whitebait species and innovative new fish passage and habitat restoration projects from the Waikato - Bruno David (Environment Waikato) 

Outcomes of the Whaingaroa Harbour Care project – restoring riparian margins from the mountains to the sea - Fred Lichtwark (Whaingaroa Harbour Care)

 

Show and Tell presentations:

Arawai Kakariki Whangamarino Wetland Project/ Waikato River Project - Lucy Roberts (DOC)

Description of use of EMR/WBC to help facilitate ‘authentic learning’ context in Tairawhiti - Murray Palmer (Nga Mahi o te Taiao)-

Hauraki Gulf Forum’s community shellfish monitoring programme - Liz Ross (Auckland Council)

Outlook for Someday - Kylie McDowell (DOC) 

 


 
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