Whitebaiters urged to play fair

Whitebaiters are generally behaving themselves and most are netting a feed in the process, the Department of Conservation says.

Ranger Tony Silbery said some had landed close to 1kg a day and "most have at least got enough for a couple of fritters".

Compliance with the rules had generally been good and no prosecutions were pending: "A few people have got a long view of what being no further than 10m from their net means, though."

Mr Silbery said whitebaiters should remember they must play fair and let some bait through or the fishery would eventually collapse.

A "few ratbags" who tried to block off culverts or fish out of hours were around and would "get to see us sooner or later".

Hours set by the rules meant the whitebait had at least some time to make it from the sea to their destination, giving them a chance to mature and ultimately ensure the species' survival.