Photo: ODT filesThe New Zealand Conservation Authority has asked the Department of Conservation to consider controlling the whitebait catch amid widespread concerns over the future of the native species. Fishing permits or catch limits are two ideas it wants explored, as well as an outright ban of some fishing techniques. Members were keen to have a cost-effective monitoring system for the harvesting of whitebait. The authority wants Doc science staff to design a statistically robust, cost-effective monitoring programme for whitebait which provides better data on fish populations and trends. It also wants a research plan to develop evidence-based policy that would support a sustainable whitebait fishery.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 06, 2017 19:32 UTC