30 Aug 2024

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Christchurch City Council rangers are keen to see whitebaiters in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor Regeneration Area (OARC) take a ‘leave no trace’ approach to their fishing this season.

Whitebait season opens on Sunday, September 1 and closes on October 30.

Head of Parks Rupert Bool says the OARC is a popular location for whitebaiting, with many families trolleying their equipment into their favourite spots during the weekends.

“Overall, whitebaiters and the public are very positive towards our initiatives to make the area safe for everyone. We are having lots of great conversations with the public and they have been very receptive to us looking to improve the whitebait habitat and ensuring the environment is being cared for.”

However, Mr Bool notes in recent seasons the ranger team have also seen damage to the environment, and conflict between groups due to a small number of whitebaiters.

“We’ve seen damage to the riverside environment that supports whitebait/inanga populations by providing habitat to spawn in. This includes established native grasses and rushes, as well as areas that have recently been planted for ecological restoration.”

Mr Bool says this damage often occurs from whitebaiters trampling or digging out areas to stand on or by building structures at the water's edge, which kills the vegetation and increases the bank erosion.

 

Previous seasons have seen whitebaiters set up camps in the OARC or surrounding areas, leading to vandalism, cars being burnt out on the street and litter dispersing into the area.

Damaging the environment and leaving property in the park overnight breaches the Parks and Reserves Bylaw (2016).  Property that breaches the bylaw can be seized or removed by Council with or without notice.

In previous seasons, some whitebaiters have also set up camps on the old roads in the OARC or adjacent areas, which has attracted freedom campers to the area.

This has led to vandalism, cars being burnt out on the street, and litter dispersing into the area.

“We want to remind whitebaiters to enjoy themselves within the parameters of the bylaws that are in place to ensure sustainable use of Parks. We are keen for a positive whitebait season for everyone, and would like people to adopt a ‘leave no trace’ approach to their fishing.”

Mr Bool also notes that the on-going construction of the City to Sea Pathway has seen some areas of the OARC cordoned off due to earthworking and road removal.

These areas are active work sites and unauthorised entry isn’t permitted.

A summary of the whitebait fishing regulations are available on DoC’s website.