Whitebaiters hoping the good times continueJOHN BISSET/STUFF Colin McConnochie of Timaru is a regular whitebaiter at Smithfield beachWhitebaiters are hoping that the good hauls continue, despite concern that the species is dwindling. Fellow Timaru whitebaiter, Colin McConnochie, also reported that last year was one of the best in some years. In 2017, Massey University researchers Kyleisha Foote and Pierce McNie presented the Primary Production Select Committee with a petition calling for the end of commercial whitebaiting. We know that four out of the five whitebait species are in serious trouble. DOC manages the regulations for whitebait fishing.The whitebait season for the West Coast of the South Island is September1 to November 14 inclusive.

Source: Stuff April 23, 2018 05:15 UTC