James Horne, of Timaru, watches as the sun rises at the opening of the 2019 whitebait season at Smithfield beach. South Canterbury whitebaiters have expressed reservations about proposed sweeping changes to the rules governing the fishery. The proposed changes include establishing refuge areas where whitebait fishing is prohibited, restrictions on various types of fishing equipment and phasing out the export of whitebait. "I think you'll find a lot of people will be upset about the proposed changes. DOC will host a meeting on the proposed changes from 12pm-2.30pm on January 27 at the Washdyke Community and Sports Centre at Sir Basil Arthur Park.

Source: Stuff January 14, 2020 04:18 UTC