Didymo Dave’s inspirational speech http://www.biosecurity.org.nz/images/file/Didymo-Dave-Cades-Presentation-NETS201…

Herb’s OPEN LETTER TO THE TAUPO FISHERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE  – more responses…

More responses to the ‘open letter’ by Herb directed at the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee re fly fishing rules (Herb’s letter below)

I read Herbs article on czech nymphing and couldn’t let it pass .Yes this is czech/french nymphing without doubt. Herbs article reminded me of the opposition to upstream nymphing ,globugs and the like in their time .And after all isn’t fishing with a big floating indicator just bobber fishing .Should we outlaw that as well?Czech nymphing requires the angler to get reasonably close to the lie otherwise there is significant drag so it is only suitable for some specific situations.It won’t take over but is just another tool for progressive anglers to use in certain situations . MB

And another:

Message: Ross You have listed a couple of letters taking a contrary position to the observations and comments of Herb Spannagl in his open letter of 4 june, may I take a supporting stance. OS Hintz in his second book on Taupo fishing referred to shooting head exponents (I think he called them “long liners”) as employing bait casting techniques and opined that they should be banned on fly water. Not many would have agreed at the time and probably none now. As described by Herb Spannagl, weighted terminal tackle (probably closely rigged) with short overhang and stripped lightweight mono running line (“leader”), in my opinion IS bait casting (or spinning) and I would agree that it should be disallowed on fly water. Neither do I regard it as constituting a Czech, Polish, French or Spanish nymphing technique. One shouldn’t let Herb’s enthusiasm for dynamic roll casting techniques get in the way of his argument on this particular issue with which I am in complete agreement. As an aside, also listed with the second reply was a letter referring to the cost of salmon fishing on what I presumed to be the Grantown-on-Spey association water. I fished there as a visitor in 1975 for a week (6 days) at cost of GBP2.00 ! (and that included the upper castle grant water). Thanks AB

And another:

Hi Ross, Regarding today’s blog and Herb’s rant, I wonder whether it’s because the anglers concerned caught more fish than Herb, or because they wern’t using “his” TRC?? Whatever, Czech nymphing, European-style nymphing, yellow-stringing, whatever you want to call it, is widely used and is here to stay, regardless of Herb’s objections. The technique is widely used in competition fly fishing; in fact, any competition angler not au fait with the technique is at a huge disadvantage. While FIPS Mouche are considering changes to the rules, and are looking at limiting leader length to twice the rod length, this will still permit fishing with leader only. Cheers, PL

And another…

It has been a while since we last corresponded but I could not resist replying to the letter from Herb Spannagl which you posted on the TRM website earlier in the week. Let me state from the outset that I have the utmost respect for Herb’s ability as an angler. It was perhaps unfortunate that you included the references to the Tongariro Roll cast under the letter as the implication that could be drawn was that this is what constitutes proper fly casting.

My views are as follows:-

·         Fly fishing is covered by too many illogical rules, especially in the Taupo district. Older anglers, locked in a time warp, are continually trying to adjust the rules to stifle innovation and suit some ideological perception of what fly fishing historically involves. It is essentially the same debate that raged between Skues and Halford, only 90 years later. The technique in question is arguably closer to how fly fishing was originally practiced than what passes as the status quo today.
·         The technique that Herb so vehemently detests is legal. The key point is that the angler is using a fly and fly fishing tackle, simply without a fly line. It is merely an innovative interpretation of the rules.
·         Fly fishing is technology driven and there is a continual stream of innovation. Regulators face a difficult task keeping pace with this innovation. Is it not better to simply loosen the rules and control the take via the bag limit?
·         Czech nymphing, returning to double handed rods / spey casting and Tenkara are examples of the latest innovations. Would not Herb’s proposed change outlaw Tenkara?
·         How the fly is delivered is irrelevant. For mine, fisheries regulators should allow bubble floats and spinning tackle as long as the angler is fishing with a fly. This would encourage greater participation, especially amongst younger anglers. Note that I would not use this technique personally but cannot see why others should not be able to. To plagiarise Spock from Star Trek “It is fly fishing Jim but not as we know it”.
·         This debate is similar to those waged over weighted flies and indicators. The Tongariro Roll cast is an innovation which was developed to cast bombs. Bombs, it could be argued successfully, are not flies. Does this not place Herb’s assertions about what constitutes fly fishing on shaky ground?
·         As an aside, I would argue that the latest Taupo regulations on indicators are nonsensical. They were introduced to counter the use of large polystyrene balls that were being used as floats. The tragedy is that it basically outlaws all of the successful synthetic indicators permitted elsewhere in NZ. I cannot see why Thingamabobbers and small styrene indicators should be outlawed. The key issue here is the size of the indicator. If the regulators had simply controlled the size of the indicator, rather than what it is constructed of, then life would be so much simpler.
·         It should be remembered that anglers are always looking to push the boundaries to gain an advantage. Herb has successfully done this in the past with his use of bombs and the TRC. It is intriguing and disappointing to see that he does not appear to applaud similar innovation in others.
·         Perhaps it is simply proof positive of the saying that “As men get older their broad minds and narrow waists change places”.
Another thing that would be potentially outlawed with Herb Spannagl’s proposed initiative is drop shot nymphing:-http://www.manictackleproject.com/flyfishingarticledropshotnymphing/

Braid is the logical choice to get flies down faster as it has a finer diameter and this reduces the time taken for flies to sink to the bottom. The technique that Herb witnessed would be far more effective if braid was used instead of nylon. Is braid closer to plaited horse hair than a modern fly line? J Where do you stop?

Tight lines and best wishes,

AB  <*\\\<<

Herb’s letter was as follows:

4 June 2013

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE TAUPO FISHERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

During my last fishing trip to the Tongariro in November 2012 I observed on two separate occasions two different anglers using a fishing method, which I consider is outside the universally accepted interpretation of fly-fishing.   Both anglers were using fly rods, fly lines, fly reels and artificial flies and so arguably were complying with the Taupo Fishing Regulation’s interpretation of fly-fishing:

“fly fishing means fishing for sports fish with fly rod and fly reel, fly line, and a natural or artificial fly:

Only fly-fishing gear can be used in waters reserved for fly-fishing only”

However, whilst the equipment was complying, the way it was used was not.   Let me explain.    Both anglers were using mono leaders, which instead of the traditional length of say 1.5-2 rod lengths were many times longer; maybe as long as 20m or even longer.   This allowed the angler to strip off whatever length of mono was needed to reach a given target and using a weighted bomb as the casting weight, flick a nymph out in much the same fashion as casting a spinner.    The irony of this is that had the angler done this with a spinning rod and a spinning reel he would have clearly broken the law.

This method offers considerable advantages over traditional fly-fishing, which uses the fly line as the sole casting weight.

Very cheap to set up as no high-end equipment is necessary
Little casting skill is needed
No physical casting weight limits
No back casting room required.   Can be used in confined spaces such as overgrown streams
Contact fishing upstream, downstream/across and even static “heave and leave” fishing at river mouths is possible
In clear water mono does not spook fish as a fly line does
Can easily be adapted to casting mini jig heads and micro soft plastic lures
Line mending skills are almost superfluous
With practice accuracy is very good

I can assure you that this is not a figment of my imagination as I have used this method fishing very successfully in most of the North Island’s big river headwaters during the sixties.   With a flexible fly rod, using thin mono as the casting line, very light rigs can be cast a surprisingly long way, even with a small indicator.   Both anglers I saw using this method caught several fish in deep Tongariro pools.   As I had met them previously I knew that both were Turangi/Taupo locals.    One could deduce from this that this method is becoming known around the area and is likely to be adopted by more

When I talked to one of the anglers about it he maintained that he was merely using the Czech nymphing technique.   This is an interesting point as in Czech nymphing the weighted point fly also acts as a casting weight but the distance the rig including a short length of fly line is lobbed is relatively short.    Further more with Czech nymphing the whole line outside the rod tip is lobbed whilst in the above described method the overhang from the rod tip is very short and the departing casting weight drags out most of the loose mono.

As I read the current Taupo fishing regulations this method is quite legal, albeit only because the interpretation of fly-fishing has omitted a very crucial element; namely that in fly fishing the line and not the “fly” is the casting weight.    It is a small loophole with potentially serious implications.   If this method of delivering a fly remains unchallenged it will surely create conflict between anglers.   It will harm Taupo’s reputation as NZ’s premier trout fishing destination.   In the long run it will also have an adverse impact on tackle retailers since this practice does not require expensive fly lines or high-end fly rods.

I do not know how widespread this method is but seeing two practitioners during one week’s visit shows that it could become popular, more so when its success becomes more widely known.   The difference between Czech nymphing and casting mono is very subtle and not easily picked up by the casual observer or uninformed compliance officer.   For that reason it is more than likely that this practice can grow a following as well as diversifying its applications while flying right under DOC’s radar.

To guard against this happening two additions to the fly-fishing regulations are required:

·      The fly line is the only permitted casting weight.

·      Restrictions on the length of the leader.

On the way home I visited the Turangi DOC office and explained my concerns to a compliance officer.   I am sad to say I left that office with little confidence that my concerns were understood let alone will be acted upon.

Yours sincerely

Herb Spannagl

 

Trout Centre Kids’ Day – Sunday June 2nd – Queens Birthday weekend.

The Trout Centre is looking for a few more keen volunteers to assist with the kids’ open day on Sunday (Queens Birthday weekend) June 2nd.

A number of TRM inmates have previously expressed keen interest in helping out on such days.

Tongariro River Motel will give it a BIG build up on the Daily Reports and will give it plenty of publicity on the day.

The day starts at 8.30 am at the Trout Centre pond, lunch is provided and finishes with drinks at 3 pm.

TRM will substantially subsidise motel accommodation if required.

Please advise TRM asap if you are available?

GOOD NEWS! 

The good news is that the full Tongariro Alpine crossing will reopen on the 8th of May.

26 April

(From Reel Life x Fish & Game Newsletter:)

Be considerate to your game bird counterparts

The first weekend in May is traditionally opening weekend for game bird hunters and this season will start on May 4.

Opening weekend is a big event for hunters but it can easily be ruined by inconsiderate anglers – please avoid fishing on opening weekend (May 4-5) in those waters that are likely to be hunted.

Most rural lakes in the region will be holding large numbers of hunters, including the hydro-lakes and the numerous small lakes in the Waikato, Waipa and Franklin districts.

Many rivers will also be actively hunted so check out the situation with the landowner first.

NZ Council News
National angler survey

Next month we begin the first of two national angling surveys we’ll be conducting over the next two years. The survey will be distributed online to a random sample of licence holders in each region, and should take most of you no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. If you are invited to take part in the survey please take the time to respond as the information we receive is important for the on-going management of our recreational sport fisheries. Click here for more information.

CFR open day

Casting for Recovery (CFR) is a fantastic programme proudly supported by Fish & Game NZ. CFR organisers and tutors will be present at a Family Fun Day at the Tongariro National Trout Centre on May 11 (9:30am – 3pm). More details can be found on the Trout Centre website.

Taranaki Reel Life Apr 2013

Published on Friday, April 12, 2013 – 08:00

Waimarino fishing well

Anglers in the Waimarino are reporting good numbers of fish seen and a number of decent sized fish caught.

The Ruatiti Domain stretch of the Manganuioteao River has been particularly productive and fish have been in excellent condition – Marion Helmers is pictured here with a nice Manganuioteao rainbow trout taken last month.

Low river levels as a result of the drought have ensured fantastic access to most of the region’s larger rivers, but this cannot be expected to last. The lack of freshes has meant plenty of algal growth and this has made the going very slippery underfoot.

Farmers are praying for rain to break the drought and when it comes it will no doubt be with little warning and fast runoff from the rock-hard landscape could well result in an extreme weather event. Anglers therefore need to continually monitor the weather, not just before setting out for the river but while they are on it.

Check your regs for winter angling water

After April 30 a number of our regional rivers and streams will close for the spawning season. Please check the regulations before setting out to make sure you know which waters are open for angling.

In the Waimarino area, the Retaruke River upstream from Oio Road Bridge, the Mangawhero River and tributaries upstream of the Raetihi-Ohakune Road “golf course” Bridge and tributaries of the Manganuioteao River, including Waimarino, Orautoha and Ruatiti streams are closed from May 1.

The Manganuioteao mainstem is open until June 30, with the river downstream of the Orautoha confluence remaining open all year.

Access across privately owned land is not a right and anglers are reminded that they need to obtain landholder permission to get to the water. Contact details for Manganuioteao landowners can be found on the large notice board located at Ruatiti Domain or obtained by calling Taranaki Fish & Game on 063454908 or emailing us.

 

Help us save the RMA

How much do you value our fishing and hunting heritage?

RMA Reforms

On this page you’ll find useful resources on the RMA and Freshwater Reforms and what you can do to help.

Changes to the RMA and freshwater management recently outlined by the Government will gut its environmental protections and pave the way for further rampant exploitation of our finite water resources.

Current protection of habitats and consideration of recreation and environmental quality would go with these sweeping reforms, which is completely against the recommendations made to the Government through the Land & Water Forum’s (LWF) so-called “collaborative process”.

The Government’s proposals will fundamentally change the context of the RMA without actually defining what the problem is with the current law – anecdote, rather than analysis, is being used to force these raft of extreme changes.

The RMA enables sustainable resource use while providing some environmental protection, but in future it will promote resource use with fewer protections; in other words, unsustainable and unchecked development at the expense of our environment.

Having your say

Submissions have now closed but you can still have a say by signing the online petition here.

We also advise anglers and hunters to write to and visit your local MPs to express concern at the proposed changes – Your voice does count!

Some simple facts you need to know!

Fast Facts – A fact sheet detailing the implications of the Govt’s proposals can be found here.

Click here for the full report on the Govt’s RMA plans.
Click here for the full report on the Govt’s Freshwater Reform plans.

RMA/Freshwater Reform News

RMA overhaul won’t help the environment (Dominion Post)
Govt plans will wreck our rivers (Fish & Game NZ press release)
WCOs – Do they have a future under this Government? (Opinion editorial)
Freshwater Reforms on The Nation (TV3′s The Nation)

Submissions/resources

Legal opinion on RMA review
Legal opinion on Freshwater Reform 2013 – WCO implications
Fish & Game NZ submission on RMA
Fish & Game NZ submission on Freshwater Reform

Related websites

www.OutstandingRivers.org.nz
Forest & Bird’s ‘Save the RMA’ resource page

 

 

(Following letter abridged to restrict comment only to NZ issues)

From: David Lambroughton <[email protected]>
Subject: THE KIWI TROUT REPORT
Date: 21 April, 2013 2:29:27 PM PDT
To: David Lambroughton <[email protected]>

Hello Everyone;

Spring has sprung here in British Columbia but I still have to wear ski gloves on my morning bike rides. I got home from New Zealand in time to watch the Masters and edit my last batch of photos and here are a few that caught my eye and will give you a look at the lay of the land. This was my 34th Trout Season down there impersonating a photographer.

Every season is different and this past one was a pivotal one that brought water quality issues front and centre. It started out with a cool, damp and lingering spring and by March was being called the biggest drought in the past 75 years. It gave your Tee Shots  an extra 30-40 yard roll on the harden fairways but was likely quite damaging to a number of rivers that had lots of their real estate dried in the sun. Also, adding to the stew in a number of drainages, would be the nitrogen overload from the rapidly expanding Dairy Industry as it tries to keep up with the unquenchable Chinese Thirst for N.Z. Milk that the pro business National Party Led Government keeps greasing the tracks for. They are dismantling the wonderful Rivers Management Act that takes into account the needs of recreational anglers and they have also cut about 150 jobs from the Department of Conservation. Or in the words of an Irish Fishing Friend, “they are firing the Fookin’ Cops during a Fookin’ Crime Wave.”  So if you are a N.Z. Trout Fisherman, Lassie is now barking louder than ever and the gloves are off. That’s the bad news.

The good news, for the skilled and at least semi fit, is that New Zealand still remains one of the truly great places in the trout world to wander around with 4-5-6 Weight Fly Rods, floating lines, and offers the type of fishing we love the most; dry flies and small nymphs when needed, and where patience, smart fly patterns, and accurate casting get rewarded. Add to this, the cleanest air and great scenery that your lungs and camera will love, locally grown fruits/vegetables available everywhere, super nice people, and you couldn’t find a better place to wear shorts for 4 or 5 months. If you are a golfer, you can also add in a hundred wonderful, almost empty country golf courses that are ridiculously inexpensive. So if New Zealand is on your Bucket List, sooner might be better than later.

………………

So there you go. One season ends and another one begins and may the Gods of Fish forgive us all.

David Lambroughton

Funding promise protects Lake Taupō for all New Zealanders

17 April 2013 (x Waikato Regional Council)

Date: 15 April 2013

Netting of Prime Breeders a Loss to the Fishery

A sharp eye and swift communication led to the recovery of a gill net in Lake Taupo at the mouth of the Waitetoko River last weekend.

Keen eyed anglers who had intended on a spot of fishing spied the net set at the mouth and quickly passed on the information to DOC and Police. Both agencies attended the site and the net was recovered. It had been set in the mid afternoon and within three hours had caught eight mature trout and two juveniles. All of the mature fish were in prime condition and at least two of the fish, which were large brown trout, would have been superb breeding stock. Unfortunately they didn’t get the chance to carry on their passage upstream to spawn.

“All anglers look forward to the spawning season, which appears to have already started.

It’s a shame that some people continue to target this time of the year to set or drag nets, in and around the spawning areas, therefore catching and killing good potential breeding stock and causing damage to the spawning grounds” says Jill Larsen Welsh- Area Compliance Officer.

DOC will continue to monitor areas of interest at this time of year and will prosecute those involved in this type of illegal activity. Netting or spearing trout are offences against the Conservation Act 1987 and can attract maximum penalties of, a fine up to $10,000 or a term of one year imprisonment. The Department considers this type of offending to be serious and will do their best to ensure those engaged in these activities are caught and prosecuted. A big thanks goes to those people who pass on information in such a timely manner, enabling DOC staff to respond immediately – your help is invaluable.

Vigilance by river and lake users is important in trying to tackle this problem. Any information received is treated in confidence and with seriousness, and where possible follow up action is taken. If you see anything suspicious please contact the DOC duty officer- 0274424962.

Photo caption: Trout gained through illegal means.

April 2013 Update:

TRM employ new cleaning staff

New cleaning staff being trained at TRM may need guests cooperation during the school holidays.

Whenever we are cleaning units and leave the ranch sliders or doors open ‘Fanny’ flies in to deal to the spiders and other wildlife.

She is very thorough and has a particular preference for ‘daddy-long-legs’ usually seen hiding around the light fittings.

Please do not imagine that the existing cleaner is negligent or has failing eye-sight and misses spiders?

Fanny is only employed as additional back-up in case some are hiding from the duster.

If she (he ?) does zoom in please remain calm.  She is well trained and used to humans (and dogs) as long as they don’t panic.

Just let her fly around and complete the cleaning routine and she will find her way out again.  OK?

Image on right is SWMBO hard at work (?) training Fanny.

(Above – Didymo Dave – preaching the gospel)

DOC Media Release

Date: 3^rd of April

Kaimanawa backcountry still didymo free

Relief is awash after negative test results for didymo have come back from a sample of a recent algae bloom from the Ngaruroro River which lies within the Kaimanawa Forest Park and borders the Kaweka Forest Park. A sample was taken immediately for urgent testing following the suspected didymo report and photos from a concerned hunter.

The Ngaruroro River is a good example of New Zealand’s picturesque clean freshwater rivers and provides excellent fishing for anglers who seek the solitude of back country wilderness fishing. The Kaimanawa mountain ranges are the headwaters to the tributaries that flow into Lake Taupo making up the Taupo Fishery. Trampers and hunters who are crossing waterways need to be diligent with cleaning their tramping boots with the approved Check Clean Dry methods so as to prevent the spread of freshwater pests between rivers and lakes, and to protect our precious local fishery.

If you ever suspect didymo please take photos and report it immediately to the biosecurity hotline 0800809966. Better still, become a good conservationist and aquaint yourself with the easy cleaning steps to prevent the spread of freshwater pests at www.biosecurity.co.nz/cleaning

Didymo is an unwanted freshwater alga that has spread through the south island and up to the last test has not been detected in the north island. The Check Clean Dry method also prevents the spread of other freshwater pests such as Lagarosiphon or hornwort.

Contacts

Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations,

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

or Didymo Dave  Ph 111 (Image above)

Media Release from Fish & Game

27 March 2013

NZ Council News

Urgent to all anglers: It’s time to stand up and be counted – the future of fishing depends on you!!!

Please make a submission to SAVE OUR RIVERS AND LAKES from devastating changes proposed through the Government’s RMA and Freshwater Reforms.

It’s quick and easy, with full guidelines on our resources page here.

Fish & Game will ensure we keep licence holders informed of the developments through future issues of Reel Life, via F&G Facebook page and F&G website.

Think about the future – what sort of New Zealand do you want your kids to inherit? Please make a stand by making a submission.

25th March 2013

Future of freshwater fishing under threat

The present government is hell-bent on wrecking the RMA. The key points are as follows:

1. The RMA is being dramatically changed to allow the development and degradation of sports fish and game habitat by farmers and industry.

2. Lowland streams will have no legal recognition so will become ‘farm drains’.

3. Water Conservation Orders will ultimately go, with their previously recognised habitat protection and recreation values lost in one- size-fits-all ‘regional plans’.

4. Practically all the substantive case law that has been developed over the years around environmental protection (much of it with Fish & Game licence fees), will be lost.

5. Current protection of the habitat of trout and salmon will be scrapped.

This is a plea for all anglers to ensure they have their say on the future of the RMA, the only real safeguard we have against rampant, unsustainable development of the freshwater resources trout and salmon rely on for survival.

You only have until 5.00pm April 2, 2013 to submit on the RMA.

Submission on the equally devastating Freshwater Reform proposals must be received by 5.00pm April 8, 2013.

Don’t worry if you have never made a submission before – it can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it, the most important thing is that you have a say.

Information on how to make a submission, suggested points to make in your submission, and where to send it are on our RMA resource page here.

Please, stand up for freshwater quality protection and the future of angling in this country – it’s in your hands.

Bryce Johnson
Chief executive
Fish & Game NZ

Resource management and freshwater reform public meetings and hui

The Government would like to hear your views on its proposed reforms to improve resource management in New Zealand, including how we manage fresh water.

Public meetings and hui are being held throughout the country during March 2013 to present the proposals for resource management and freshwater reform.

To make it more convenient for people who have an interest in both resource management and freshwater reform, they will be discussed on the same day.

The details for the meetings are provided in the table below. If you would like to attend a meeting or hui you do not need to RSVP.

Resource management and freshwater reform public meetings and hui

16 March 2013

The Department of Conservation has lifted an advisory recommending visitors not enter Mt Ruapehu’s summit hazard zone.

The warning had been in place since November and covered an area within two kilometres of Crater Lake.

The department says temperatures in the volcano’s vent system, several hundreds of metres below the lake, have returned to normal and there have been no volcanic earthquakes lately that would raise concerns.

It says while the warning has been lifted for the summit hazard zone, it is important that people remember Mt Ruapehu is a living volcano and heed advice not to go into the crater basin or to the shore of Crater Lake.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which operates the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields, runs guided trips to the summit.

The company welcomes the decision to remove the restriction, which it says has reduced its business over summer by up to 15%.

General manager Dave Mazey says even though the ski fields themselves were outside the exclusion zone, some customers would have been anxious if the restriction had continued into winter.

Copyright © 2013, Radio New Zealand

Attention all Dads -

Kids Gone Fishin’ Day

Bluelight Trade Zone Kids Gone Fishin’ Day.

The southern end of Lake Taupo will host hundreds of keen kids in the upcoming Bluelight Trade Zone Kids Gone Fishin’ Day.

The event is on 6th April at 10.00am.

There are two venues to choose from – the Trout Centre and Tokaanu Wharf.  The day will feature special guest Graeme Sinclair.  Entry for kids is only $5 for early birds – register at Taupo Police Station between 9am -5pm from 25-28 March.

Images above from visit to the Rangipo underground power station by SWMBO on previous years:

Turangi Colours festival.

* Tickets are only available at the i-SITE for Rangipo underground Power Station Visit $15 limited seats.

* Dinner, Music and Wine in the Vines $65 3course menu with wines limited tickets.

* 15minute Turangi and Southern Lake Taupo Scenic flight super deal on Friday 29th $70pp.

Tickets available at the Turangi i-SITE.

Turangi i-SITE
P: +64 7 386 8999 | F: +64 7 386 0074 | E: [email protected]
Ngawaka Place, Turangi 3334 | PO Box 34 Turangi 3334

All anglers should be aware of following:

2013 Trout Centre Kids Fishing Dates

For more information click on the following link   www.troutcentre.com

Dates

Wed 1^st May

Wed 24^th Jul

Wed 9^th Oct

Wed 8^th Jan

Wed 22 Jan

Bookings are Essential

To book one of the Children’s Fishouts phone (07) 386 8085

Email [email protected]

Pond Opening Hours

Between 9:30am and 3:00pm, rain or shine

Terms, Conditions and Costings

Age Limit – 6-14 years (inclusive) can fish the pond with the help of Volunteer Anglers.

Costings – Kids Fishing $5. All equipment provided and a volunteer will help instruct the child with casting etc

Fly Casting Tuition – $10.00 per child, $15.00 per adult (one hours sessions starting at 11:00am and 1:00pm)

Rods and Gear – All fishing gear is provided. You may wish to bring your own gear for fly casting lessons only.

 

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Stunning Weather for Vintage 2013

by Sarah Thornton

The 2013 New Zealand grape harvest is well underway with the outlook for the vintage buoyed by the stunning summer weather according to New Zealand Winegrowers.

“We understand the pain the current drought is causing in the pastoral sector, but the warm dry summer of 2013 has been absolutely perfect for growing and ripening grapes. As we move into autumn, still with warm days and now slightly cooler nights prevailing, the prospect is for an outstanding vintage in all our grapegrowing regions” said New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Officer Philip Gregan.

The 2013 grape harvest commenced in mid/late February in northern regions and will conclude in early May.

“If the grapes harvested to date are any indication then vintage 2013 will be one to remember.”

Wisest words about NZ Riesling EVER

from Framingham Wines Andrew Hedley:

“Keep calm and carry on. Absolutely don’t chase mass appeal & volume with Riesling. Avoid any sense of fashion. Retain a quality focus at all times & develop your individual expressions. Preach the gospel wherever possible, but don’t expect to convert masses of people to the variety. Preach a different gospel to the already converted and get Riesling lovers (they exist) around the world to drink more New Zealand Riesling by talking in terms of balance, tension, minerality and richness. Avoid the ‘s’ word.”

Why?  Simply the best wine to accompany all trout dishes…

x Cuisine: “As usual, riesling provided the highlights of the aromatics tasting. And once again, the panel was left wondering why the beauty and verve of this classic white variety are so under-appreciated by Kiwi wine drinkers. With its relatively low alcohol levels, general food-friendliness and (not least) modest pricing, riesling has what it takes to be a popular modern wine. Eight of 103 entries won five stars and a further 14 were rated four stars or above. “It was exciting to see excellent wines across six vintages,” says John Belsham. “That’s an indication of the maturity of our better riesling producers.” Five of the Top 10 were also rated Best Buys. Adds Anna Flowerday, “We saw attention to detail and winemaking passion in the riesling and gewurztraminer tastings, but a lack of both in pinot gris.” Drylands Dry Riesling 2012 took the top award. Says Belsham, “Dry riesling is one of the most difficult wines to perfect. It’s about growing and harvesting pristine fruit that is not overt in any way. Our top wine is so transparent, it’s almost translucent. It’s not easy to make wines of such quality without exuberance. You have to marvel at the beauty of it.”

(Submitted by SWMBO)

It’s true: more expensive hotels charge more for Wi-Fi …..

When you plan a vacation you usually remember to budget for things like hotel, travel, meals and perhaps your coffee addiction. But do you remember to factor in charges for Wi-Fi? Sure, you can get free Wi-Fi at places like Starbucks and maybe McDonalds, depending on what city you’re in. But who wants to leave the hotel room to get online? You want Wi-Fi in your room and you want everyone in the room to be able to use it. Gogobot recently conducted a survey of hotels and confirms what we’ve all been thinking – the more expensive hotels charged the most for Wi-Fi access. More than that, the Wi-Fi was at times spotty and unreliable. “There is no correlation between the amount you pay and the quality you get. Tether-less travel is here to stay and many people, especially families, rely on their iPhone or iPad to manage their itinerary. Long gone are the days where you could connect using ethernet. The survey of UK-based hotels found guests are typically being charged more for Wi-Fi in higher end hotels, while less expensive hotels offer it as a free service. For instance, in the UK, the Hilton charges £15 per day (or around $23) for Wi-Fi, while smaller boutique or independent hotels charge either nothing or £5 to £8 per day.
Source: Andrea Smith

(Of course Wifi is free at TRM, just like the bike hire, the laundry, etc.)

MONEY NOT MANA

By Dr Muriel Newman  

The report by Fairfax media that Crown negotiators working for Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson on the Treaty settlement process have picked up million dollar fees shows the Treaty of Waitangi grievance industry has become an insatiable gravy train not just for the iwi elite, but also for ex-politicians and the ‘in’ crowd.

The 14-strong negotiating team has been paid a total of $5.5 million. Michael Dreaver, an Auckland consultant was the highest earner at $1.5m, followed by Ross Philipson, formerly of the Ministry of Economic Development, who made just over $1m.  Former Members of Parliament include justice minister Sir Douglas Graham (who was found guilty last year of making misleading statements while a director of Lombard Finance) who earned $186,901, former MP and iwi chairs forum member Tukoroirangi Morgan who received $439,085, and former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who earned $29,912.

While Chris Finlayson has defended his team saying the money was well spent, taxpayers may well question the calibre of recent Treaty settlements. Many of those settlements appear excessively generous, significantly extending the boundaries established by previous governments to include ever more place name changes, the extension of the right of purchase of Crown assets to over 170 years, and increasing numbers of ‘co-governance’ deals that give iwi business operators equal power over public assets to that of government agents.

Last year’s Tuhoe settlement is a case in point. At $170 million, its value not only equalled those of the major Tainui, Ngai Tahu and the fisheries settlements, but it also included the co-governance of New Zealand’s biggest National Park – even though National Parks and conservation lands have always been considered ‘off limits’ for Treaty settlement purposes. How the government can justify awarding a private tribal corporation co-governance rights to a key national asset, is a question that has yet to be answered – especially as the deal also granted Tuhoe Mana Mutuhake, which means independence or self-governance. Awarding co-governance rights to our major National Park to a private tribal corporation that intends breaking away and establishing a nation within a nation is pure madness.

New Zealanders have never approved of the inclusion of co-governance deals in Treaty settlements. Iwi claimants are not official bodies – they are private business corporations driven by strong profit motives. Attempts to claim they are Treaty ‘partners’ – which is a convenient political construct promoted by Treaty activists – and therefore entitled to special privileges, should be seen as the fiction that it is. It is not acceptable that unelected, unaccountable private corporations driven by self interest are allocated special quasi-official roles that are not available to other New Zealanders.Iwi have become experts at soft-soaping the public with talk of the ‘guardianship’ of assets. Let’s not be fooled by their rhetoric. Their agenda is to get their hands on as many public assets as they can, for private commercial advantage. This is evident in their claims for electromagnetic spectrum and of course, fresh water. If the Supreme Court supports the Maori councils’ claim for freshwater, and the government acquiesces to such a ridiculous notion, we will end up having to pay private tribal corporations every time we turn on the tap.

The reality is that the modern-day Treaty settlements are about money, not mana, and the drive for co-governance is about power not partnership.

Just last week Ngati Tuwharetoa, the so-called ‘guardians’ of Lake Taupo, announced that they intend to charge competitors in the New Zealand Ironman competition around $40 a head for the swimming leg of the race. This move to charge for the right to swim in the lake is expected to bring in around $56,000. It will be in addition to the income Tuwharetoa already receives from the commercial tourist ventures that use the lake, from a share of all fishing licence fees, and from an annual Crown payment of $1.5 million.

A similar decision to charge some lake users was made by Ngai Tahu a few years ago. Lake Ellesmere was included in their 1998 Treaty settlement, and at the time, assurances were given by the iwi and the Government that nothing would change regarding the public’s right to use the lake. In spite of those assurances an 8 percent levy on the earnings of commercial eel fishermen was imposed in 2009, and while recreational users of the lake have not been levied as yet, many fear that in time they too will be required to pay this ‘iwi tax’. Locals believe this levy is just the start. They say fishermen and boaties in other parts of the country should prepare for similar taxes being imposed wherever riverbeds, lakebeds and foreshore areas have been included in Treaty deals. They say that mooring buoys, jetties and bridges will soon be fair game for an iwi tax.

In response to complaints about the iwi tax, the Minister of Fisheries said there was nothing he could do, that it was a private matter between the public and the iwi. And there’s the rub – once these deals are done and public assets are given to private iwi corporations, the government washes its hands of any further involvement – they are “private” deals, involving what were public assets.

The problem is that our Members of Parliament have for a long time now adopted a policy of appeasement – they have caved in to pressure from Treaty activists. New Zealanders, who once enjoyed free and unfettered access to our rivers, lakes, and the coast, need to realise that unless public pressure forces our politicians to change course and stand up for the public interest, these spaces will no longer be available free of charge to all New Zealanders in the future. The changes will be incremental, a lakebed here, a riverbed or seabed there, all charges under the guise of ‘guardianship’ funded by  ‘environmental levies’ or ‘conservation tariffs’.

I have said this before and I will say it again – public opinion matters. The public are being treated like sheep because we don’t speak out strongly enough. Through these newsletters, the New Zealand Centre for Political Research addresses public policy issues of concern and those readers who forward them on to their networks are helping us to inform the wider public and increase awareness so that collectively we can stand up to the rorts and hold the government to account.

This week’s NZCPR Guest Commentator is Fiona Mackenzie, a political commentator with a background in education, finance and marketing, who has been assessing the Treaty propaganda that is being pushed by the Associate Minister of Education, Maori Party Leader Pita Sharples, and the Ministry of Education in our schools.

Fiona explains that when the Ministry of Education found that schools had difficulty implementing Treaty of Waitangi principles, they published a curriculum update to provide ‘guidance’: “The Ministry’s Update is very disturbing because it goes way beyond the teaching of Maori content. It is a blatant attempt to change and control the behaviour of schools, teachers and students, to promote the ‘Maori world view’ and to elevate ‘Maori’ to a superior status not afforded anyone else.”

Fiona ends her article What’s going on in our schools with a plea: “For all the sake of New Zealanders, it is time to end this crusade for Maori domination. We need to face reality and go forward as one united country. While we should definitely celebrate our many cultures, it is vital to the health of our nation that we operate equally under the same rights and obligations. If we persist in trying to revert to 1840 tribalism, re-write history and make economic slaves of those with no Maori ancestry, our problems will only magnify and our futures will become very bleak.”

Sir Bob Jones, an outspoken critic of race-based privilege, has used a recent Herald article to ridicule the sorts of cultural practices that are increasingly being forced onto New Zealanders. He commented on a bizarre ceremony that took place last month when a dead whale was washed up on Paraparaumu beach.

“Launching the Maori counterattack for idiocy talking honours, kaumatua Don Te Maipi, another in need of a dictionary, told journalists that ‘the dead whale is regarded as an ancestor’. Mr Te Maipi didn’t say who specifically regarded that whale so, but if there’s anyone apart from him who does, then the asylum beckons. Mr Te Maipi then moved into padded-cell-and-straitjacket territory when he added that he believed ‘the whale’s death could have been connected spiritually to the death of Bruce Mansell’. Mansell, a non-Maori, was a local shopping centre manager who had died two days earlier. He was not over-weight and certainly not of sperm whale dimensions.”“

An Ani Parata, described as a local iwi representative, piped up and told the same reporter, ‘The whale has given up his life for us,’ adding, ‘This is a significant message to us. We come from a tribe of whalers’. No detailed explanation for this hogwash was given but nevertheless I can assure Ani Parata that the whale not only did no such thing but, in fact, would have been oblivious to her existence. What ‘the significant message’ was, understandably was not explained.”

Sir Bob then concluded, “Imagine if talking tripe was a criminal offence. Mr Te Maipi would be history. In his case it would be a maximum sentence with a minimum 10-year parole term. Ms Parata poses a difficulty, for she’s a woman and the court would be confused by her trespassing into Maori male nonsense-talking territory. Her best bet would be to plead that she was in the middle of a week-long bender and was so drunk at the time that it would be unreasonable to hold her responsible for her words, for which she now has deep remorse.”

It’s absurd that Maori should have a monopoly on dead whales. They are creatures of the international seas; any attachment to Maori is a fiction created to gain ownership of the valuable whale bones and teeth – and is no more relevant than their apparent belief in Taniwha.  It’s time for honesty and frankness in the debate about Maori rights – it’s time to for politicians to stop pandering to a vocal minority and start listening to the majority, but for that to happen the majority must become vocal.

 

Deal ends fight over lake clean-up

 

By Jamie Morton Jamienzherald

 Monday Feb 18,

Farmers and authorities in Rotorua region agree to reduce nutrient pollution by 70 per cent in 10 years.

Federated Farmers provincial president Neil Heather and MP Todd McClay, on the heights of Mr Heather’s farm overlooking Lake Rotorua, are happy progress has been made.

Photo / Alan Gibson.

A landmark deal that has ended one of the country’s longest and largest environmental battles is now being touted as a template to help clean up our waterways.

A compromise brokered by Rotorua MP Todd McClay, to be signed today, is set to bring an end to fighting between farmers, authorities and conservation groups over nutrients worsening Lake Rotorua’s quality.

After two decades of dispute, Federated Farmers had gone to the Environment Court to challenge a proposed Bay of Plenty Regional Council regulation requiring the annual nitrogen load into the lake to be slashed by more than 300 tonnes to a sustainable level within 10 years.

The group would withdraw its appeal after agreeing to a compromise that would still see 70 per cent of the target reached by the deadline and the remainder by 2032.

Federated Farmers and the Lakes Water Quality Society told the Herald the deal was an acceptable compromise. The court appeal had been running for two years and was set to carry on for two more years when Mr McClay intervened in November.

Farmers had feared meeting the requirement with the 10-year timeframe would have proved devastating for them, causing job losses and hurting the local economy.

But Mr McClay said yesterday that 20 years was “not an unreasonable” deadline, despite nutrients in groundwater having built up over 60 years. The amount of nitrogen in the lake needed to be reduced from 746 tonnes to 435 tonnes.

“This is probably one of the largest challenges of any water body in New Zealand,” Mr McClay said.

“This agreement recognises what must be done, but doesn’t lessen the significance of the huge effort that must be made.”

Rotorua and Taupo Federated Farmers provincial president Neil Heather said reaching the goal would still hurt the farming community.

“It’s going to have a huge cost to farmers in production and profitability, there’s no two ways about that, but we all want the same outcome – we just don’t want to go broke doing it.”

The deal also fell short of what the Lakes Water Quality Society had wanted, but was still a “turning point” for restoring the lake’s health, spokesman Ian McLean said.

“This, I think, shows what is possible with the right leadership, and as such it’s a demonstration to the rest of the country that it’s possible to have win-win situations.”

He added the effort needed to overcome the battle in Rotorua had been “much harder” than in other parts of the country.

Mr McClay believed it would become a “milestone agreement” that would be replicated elsewhere.

The need to clean up our waterways was highlighted last year by a long-awaited report by the Land and Water Forum, and a Ministry for the Environment report found that more than half of our monitored river sites were unsafe to swim in – information later used in a New York Times article on the eve of the premiere of The Hobbit movie.

Two keynote speakers at a New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society conference in December called it our largest environmental problem.

Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills said the answer was better collaboration between parties and “not beating each other up about who’s to blame”.

“You can propose to limit dairying or the impacts of agriculture, but when we start to talk about job losses and the rural community feeling a lack of income, it’s not easy to get the balance right between continuing to grow the economy and having a smaller and smaller footprint.”

Mr Wills said Horizons Regional Council’s controversial One Plan was regulation going a “step too far”.

But Dr Mike Joy, a senior lecturer at Massey University’s Environmental Science and Ecology Group, said tougher regulation was the only way to reverse pollution of waterways.

“We all know that speeding and drink driving is dangerous, but until you have speed cameras and policemen, nothing changes.”

The compromise

A memorandum of understanding between Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Federated Farmers and the Lake Rotorua Primary Producers Collective pushes back the deadline for nutrient loading into Lake Rotorua to be lowered to sustainable levels. But 70 per cent of the target – bringing annual nutrient loading from just under 750 tonnes to 435 tonnes – would still be achieved within a decade.

In signing the deal, Federated Farmers would withdraw legal action against the council. The rules and incentives needed to achieve the reductions will be worked out.

By Jamie Morton Jamienzherald Email Jamie

 

Media release: Waikato University research identifies Taupo aquaculture opportunities

For Immediate Release 30 January, 2013

Waikato University research identifies Taupo aquaculture opportunities

University of Waikato research into potential freshwater aquaculture opportunities in the wider Bay of Plenty (including Taupo) has identified rainbow trout as the species that would offer the highest economic development benefit and competitive advantage for the region. However, the potential to capture this opportunity would be limited by current legislation which prohibits the commercialisation of trout. Entitled “Freshwater Aquaculture Opportunities in the Bay of Plenty Region”, the research was commissioned by eight stakeholders, including the Bay of Connections Regional Aquaculture Organisation, members of industry and investors, to investigate the potential opportunities and obstacles for different aquaculture developments in the region.

The research will be available for potential investors and interested parties from Wednesday January 30.

The Chairman of the Bay of Connections Regional Aquaculture Organisation (RAO), Graeme Coates, says freshwater and land-based aquaculture provides significant growth potential for the wider Bay of Plenty region, and the report takes a “thorough and thought-provoking” look at the opportunities and the obstacles for such growth. “Aquaculture has been identified as a key growth opportunity by the Government, with a national development aim to have a generated value of $1 billion by 2025. The purpose of the research was to identify and explore potential freshwater opportunities, and the feasibility of those, in order to capture the potential of aquaculture as a key growth prospect.” Mr Coates says the study explores both potential profitable freshwater aquaculture opportunities, as well as any current or future barriers to aquaculture development.

The report identifies five potential freshwater species for aquaculture development in the Taupo region, including trout, eel, algae, koura and carp. Other species such as salmon, red fin perch, grey mullet, kahikahi and whitebait were also investigated, but were not considered viable at this stage due to a range of factors such as water temperature, low value product, inability to compete on a world market and high operating costs and associated risks.

“Rainbow trout has been identified as the highest value opportunity due to its high local and world market value, moderate capital and operating costs and a high cost benefit. “

The presence and success of existing trout farming operations for the replenishment of local fisheries demonstrates that the knowledge already exists and that the level of technology required is easily accessible. “However, the ability to maximise the potential opportunities for our local economies and communities from trout farming is limited by a range of different legislation preventing the commercialisation and farming of trout. “It would be great if we could ‘just get going’, but unfortunately, as the report identifies, there are many barriers to development.”

Mr Coates says the traditional arguments against trout farming are the same as those promoted by opponents to the commercialisation of the salmon fishery in the 1970s – concerns which have never manifested with the development of the current industry. “History has proven that the original concerns have not become reality, and the wild/sport salmon fishery and associated industry has not been harmed by these developments.

“As was the case with the development of the commercial salmon industry, any threats to the natural population such as poaching, disease and pollution can be mitigated with a successfully managed and strictly controlled operation through a range of mechanisms, including the Resource Management Act.” Mr Coates says a key component of the study also involved investigating sustainable and economic methods of practice, particularly those using geothermal energy, which offers a large competitive advantage for any such development in this region. He says freshwater eel also offer significant opportunities for freshwater aquaculture in the Taupo region, with key markets identified in Asia, Europe and North America. The report indicates glass eels could be worth in excess of $2000/kg in those offshore markets. However, the species has a complicated breeding cycle which would require further research to ensure breeding can be manipulated in captivity sufficiently for aquaculture purposes. Mr Coates says eel obviously has an important cultural value for Maori, and consultation with iwi would be required in relation to eel aquaculture.

Enterprise Great Lake Taupo worked in conjunction with investors to oversee the initiation and completion of the report, and managed and co-ordinated the study with the University of Waikato. Its CEO, Fritz Frohlke, says there is firm support from the business sector for the development of localised industry and the use of the geothermal resources available. “The study has provided the funding investors with a quality feasibility assessment to help inform their consideration of future potential investment options in this region.”

The research was undertaken by a University of Waikato Summer School Scholarship graduate, Anton Williams, under the direction of Adjunct Professor Chris Battershill, the Chair of Coastal Science at the University. The work involved interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including members of industry and regulators. The study ran from December 2011 to February 2012, with additional follow-up work completed in 2012.

The report was completed last July, but was bound by a confidentiality agreement with the initial investors until its release on Wednesday 30 January. Interested parties and/or potential investors can request a copy of the report via the Enterprise Great Lake Taupo website, www.greatlaketaupo.biz

The Bay of Connections is the industry-led growth strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region, which includes Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Western Bay of Plenty.

 

Excuse to pollute ‘appalling’

Friday, 25 January 2013,

Press Release: Fish and Game New Zealand

Excuse to pollute ‘appalling’
Fish & Game NZ is appalled that the dairy sector is using the removal of nitrogen inhibiting products from the market as an excuse for more pollution to enter New Zealand’s waterways.

“Fonterra Shareholder’s Council has signalled as much,” says Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson, “practically demanding that regional councils lower nitrate pollution targets.

“It is utter arrogance for a sector which is already reaping significant environmental subsidies to use this as an excuse for affected farmers to maintain their artificially elevated stocking rates and further pollute the public’s freshwater resources.

“An environmentally and socially responsible industry would employ alternative measures to compensate, not say ‘Oh well, it’s back to business as usual boys’.”

The withdrawn products were seen as a means of helping reduce dairying’s impact on water by reducing the amount of diffuse nitrogen pollution leaching off farms and into waterways.

Mr Johnson says in their absence regional councils must not lower pollution targets and instead should put the onus on the farmers to adhere to environmental guidelines and reduce the impact by other means.

“If that requires a reduction in production, then so be it.”

Lesser options that could assist include using less fertiliser and using it more efficiently, upgrading irrigation systems and increasing riparian margins adjacent to flowing waters,” he says.

“The individual farmers affected by this should meet the costs associated with ensuring that they aren’t polluting the public’s freshwater resource.

“That’s what would be required of any other business – the dairy sector should not be treated as a special case and demands for yet more environmental subsidies should be flatly rejected by regional councils and the government.”

 

Fish & Game Officer Wanted

 

 

 

 

 

Published on Thursday, January 17, 2013

The Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game Council is looking to appoint an enthusiastic Fish & Game Officer to join our small team based in Hamilton.

 

The successful applicant will undertake duties associated with the management of sportsfish and gamebirds and their habitat including monitoring angler and hunter use, evaluating fish and game resources, regulation compliance, responding to licence holder needs, and writing articles and reports on fish and game issues.

The successful applicant will have some or all of the following attributes:

A true passion for the environment and its sustainable use

Well developed oral and written communication skills

A sound knowledge of fish and game management principles and angling and hunting techniques

A tertiary qualification in biology, resource management or a related field is desirable

Relevant work experience

The ability to work as part of a small but dedicated team

A full job description can be found here

Application and curriculum vitae to be received by 13 February 2013 to:

Chief Executive
Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game
156 Brymer Rd, RD 9
Hamilton 3289.
[email protected]

Ben Wilson
Chief Executive
Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game
07 8491666

(Thanks to Peter Shepherd from DoC who approved TRM reprinting the following feature article from Target Taupo  – published December 2012 as TRM still get many complaints and questions about the earthworks project between Reed Pool and Delatours.  Read on…)

Gravel extraction in the Tongariro River – not something new

By Mark Venman
Fishery Operations Manager
and
Lawrie Donald
Zone Manager Taupō River and Catchment Services
Waikato Regional Council

The lower Tongariro River has seen considerable change over the past couple of years, with both the removal of willows and the more recent removal of gravel and sediment downstream of the State Highway 1 (SH1) road bridge. Concerns have been raised that this work has had a detrimental effect on the fishery by removing cover for juvenile rainbow trout and adult brown trout through habitat modification, but has also impacted on anglers through the loss of fishable water such as The Braids. This article summarises what work has been done and looks at what is planned for the future and what this means for both fish and anglers.

The Tongariro River catchment spans an area close to 800 km2 and consists of several tributaries flowing into the main river channel before discharging into Lake Taupō, approximately 10 km downstream of Turangi township. The river itself is approximately 92 km long and carries sediment such as volcanic ash, pumice and andesite lava from the eastern slopes of the volcanic central plateau plus greywacke, argillite and ash from the Kaimanawa Ranges. The Tongariro River undergoes significant channel changes in response to natural events such as floods and volcanic eruptions. The natural hydrology of the Tongariro River has been significantly changed by the Tongariro Power Development diversions, with average flows in Turangi almost 50 % less than before the scheme. Large flood events remain relatively unchanged but the scheme does curtail flood recessions and this can impact on the natural movement and deposition of sediment throughout the lower reaches of the river.

The township of Turangi is located at the head of an alluvial fan created by the Tongariro River as it approaches the Tongariro Delta and Lake Taupō. The bed of the Tongariro immediately upstream of Turangi consists of coarse cobble and boulders. Heavier material, such as cobbles and gravel, gets deposited at the upstream end of the alluvial fan while lighter sand and silt is transported through the lower end of the fan and down through the lower reaches as the river slowly meanders towards the Delta. This deposition of material at the head of the fan is a natural process and, over time, this deposition process will raise the flood plain and cause lateral instability of the channel, that is, the river will spread over a wider area. Waikato Regional Council is required to manage this process and stabilise the path of the river to protect property and life in Turangi from floods.

Flood control works have been established over many years, with work dating back to the late 1950s. During the 1960s and 1970s, approximately 700,000 tonnes of gravel was removed from the river in the vicinity of the Swirl Pool. Since the removal of gravel has stopped, the artificially lowered river bed has acted as a sink for bed load material coming from upstream during floods and has filled in this area to the point where it has now returned to its ‘natural’ level. It is thought that this natural level could be the upper limit for management of the flood control scheme.

Waikato Regional Council has constructed a flood protection scheme on the Tongariro River within Turangi Township to protect property and people from the equivalent of a 100-year flood. Protection is provided by the formed floodway, which includes stop banks, river channel, river banks, berms and flood plain. The scheme consists of stop banks for flood control, with erosion control structures to ensure that river banks remain stable. With the river’s higher bed level, there is a risk that the current flood protection measures are not sufficient to handle a 100-year flood. It is hoped that the combination of willow removal, continued gravel and sediment extraction and a widening of the flood channel will ultimately result in Turangi surviving the next 100-year flood.

The most recent work commenced in 2011/12 to remove scrub and willow infestation from the floodway to help reduce the peak height of a 100-year flood, as water can flow more easily to Lake Taupō without the risk of backing up and flooding Turangi. A large part of this area has been mechanically cleared and followed up with spray to minimise regrowth. Further work is required to continue to eliminate willows and other woody species from the floodway. Woody species, such as broom, buddleia, grey and crack willow, colonise gravel islands and can cause the river to divert during a flood due to reduction of the cross-sectional area of the river floodway. This vegetation needs to be cleared prior to any gravel or sediment removal. With continued woody vegetation management, vegetation cover in the form of grasses and toitoi should dominate over the next 3–4 years. River bank erosion could become a problem through the clearing of willows and the development of a wider channel but this will be monitored.

Some areas of willow have been strategically left in key areas to minimise the risk of the Tongariro breaking out and cutting a new channel into Stump Bay during a significant flood event. A blind channel approximately 1 km in length and still growing has developed from the lake towards Turangi. It is this channel that carries flows during floods and there is potential for a permanent breakout from near Delatours Pool and Awamate Road to join up with this channel and threaten a number of waahi tapu sites.

From a fishery perspective, the willows in the lower river provide cover for both brown and rainbow trout residing in the lower reaches. The dense root systems are also an ideal nursery for juvenile trout as they grow and migrate down towards Lake Taupō. Summer fishing in the lower river was also largely terrestrially based, with anglers using large cicada patterns to hungry browns and recovering rainbows busily feeding under the cover of the willow branches. Much of this cover has been lost, but some areas of willow have been left to help stabilise erosion-prone areas that will provide some cicada action in the short term. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is also advocating for a small section of willows to be left along the edge of islands downstream of the Crescent Reserve to provide suitable habitat for fish. It is possible that this work could encourage browns to reside further upstream and closer to the town pools. With browns entering the Tongariro from late December onwards, it will be interesting to see where the browns choose to seek cover this coming summer.

Gravel and silt extraction has already commenced, and this work has really changed the landscape especially on the true left side downstream of the Crescent Reserve. This site is currently devoid of any vegetation, but it is anticipated that the completed works will result in a much more pleasant experience for those visiting the river. The cleared floodway will be managed as an area free of willows and other trees and shrubs and be dominated by indigenous plants, such as toitoi, once a full season of vegetation control and establishment has occurred. The improved access and the re-establishment of vegetation over the spring and summer periods will hopefully increase angling enjoyment once the area returns to a more naturalised state.

A new flood channel has been opened up down the true left side of the river to move the river away from the true right side during significant floods. Vegetation has been removed and the area widened so that the river can spread out laterally during a large flood. This new channel was created from an old groundwater channel and continued down towards where the Hirangi Stream enters the Tongariro on the true left bank, just upstream of the Reed Pool.

After discussions between DOC, Waikato Regional Council and the Tongariro River Advocates during early July 2012, it was decided to reduce the normal permanent flow down this channel to encourage more water down the true right side and ultimately into the Bain Pool area. With a bulldozer already on site, the machine went to work to achieve this. We discussed collectively what the options were to create more braided water and add more diversity to the channel to make it less uniform and canal-like for both anglers and fish alike.

One major concern we had was the presence of large willow stumps half buried in the soft sediment down to a depth of almost 2 m that were still in the new flood channel making angling almost impossible due to snags. The new narrow channel certainly looked good from an angling perspective, if you ignore the stumps, and fish were present soon after it was created. We discussed the option of using the bulldozer to cut channels from this flood channel through to the centre river channel to increase the flow down the true right side and into the Bain Pool and create some diversity and braided channels. It was difficult to know where to make these channels and the river will generally decide where it wants to go during a major flood event.

Fortunately, we only had to wait 4 days for a 620 cumec flood to come down and rearrange the river downstream of the Crescent Reserve! We thought the work done by the bulldozer was impressive but the Tongariro proved who was in charge and made a few changes to the flood channel and the volume of water now flowing down the true left. The widened flood channel on the true left worked well and the river sent a considerable flow down the new channel and across the flood plain on its way to the lake. A significant volume of water still came down the true right into the Bain Pool area but that has reduced as flows returned to normal. Some nice braided water exists still near Tongariro Lodge and around the Bain Pool and it will be interesting to see how it fishes during the spring. The small flood channel on the true left is now much straighter and wider than before and looks very fishable if you can see past the snags.

There is a lot of fine gravel deposited in this channel and with minor modifications could be both fishable and ideal juvenile trout habitat.

As it is currently, there is slightly too much water flowing down the true left flood channel for both adult and juvenile trout but with minor modifications, this channel could offer a lot more. DOC is keen to reduce some of the flow by cutting channels into the island and diverting water through to the centre channel to increase the flows into the Bain Pool. Some willows left along the side of the island will help provide cover and shelter for trout of all ages. Combined with rock groynes, it will naturally become a diverse area for both fish and anglers.

The weekend of 25 and 26 August 2012 was one of the busiest for anglers this winter throughout the Tongariro, but especially downstream of the SH1 bridge. Anglers could be seen fishing right down past the Crescent Reserve area and were hooking fish in this newly modified landscape. The area just downstream of where the bulldozer had previously redirected the flow is producing fish and has been referred to as the new ‘Honey Pot Pool’ by local anglers. Since the July flood, the head of this stretch of water has looked ideal for nymphing and brings in a nice flow. Similarly, a nice area for anglers has been created where this true left flood channel re-enters the main channel at the head of the Reed Pool. This is suited to both nymphing and wet lining.

Work proposed by Waikato Regional Council for the next 3–5 years will focus on managing the expected in-coming deposition of sand, silt and gravel in the vicinity of the Swirl Pool area. The vegetation management completed to date has helped to establish the freeboard required for a 100-year flood flow to pass through Turangi without breaching the current stop banks. Modelling by Waikato Regional Council based on the most recent surveys has indicated that the lowering of the flood plain through this section has re-established the design flood protection scheme freeboard.

The removal of gravel that has built up in the vicinity of the Swirl Pool is planned for the future as this will lower the mean river bed level and subsequently increase the floodway capacity at this location. Some vegetation clearing is required upstream of the SH1 bridge and will be done mainly using chemical sprays rather than mechanical means. Vegetation that restricts the floodway will be dealt to. No extraction of gravel is required through this reach as the stop-bank freeboard is currently sufficient to deal with a 100-year flood. It is hoped that this level of intervention in the river will be a one-off with future maintenance work minor in comparison. However, this will naturally be dependent on future flood events and the deposition of material. Essentially, the rest of the river will be left to its own devices unless there is serious erosion or significant deposits of sediment that need to be addressed. The riprap rock wall at Herekiekie Street also requires a small amount of work to top up the structure and reduce its steep gradient. This will require the river to be diverted away temporarily from the true right while the work is undertaken.

DOC is keen to work alongside Waikato Regional Council to get a balance between flood protection work and the interests of the fishery, and the council has been very receptive to our concerns and requests. Gravel extraction is not something new to the Tongariro River and if done sensibly can create new angling opportunities and trout habitat as well as keep the people and property of Turangi intact.

Anglers happy as Taupo trout return

by Tony Bishop on December 30, 2012

Lake Taupo (central North Island, NZ) anglers are enjoying some of the best fishing in years as the world-renowned wild fishery returns limit catches of well conditioned trout.

Department of Conservation Taupo fishery area manager Dave Lumley said the abundance of smelt and zooplankton in the lake was contributing to anglers catching limit bags of good conditioned trout.

A limit bag on Lake Taupo is three fish, each over 40 centimetres (15.7”)  long.

“It’s a continuance of the good fishing which we noticed from early summer, from around mid-November. The fish are bigger and in superb condition, with many caught measuring between 42-45 centimetres.”

Lumley said anglers were catching maiden fish, sometimes second spawners, which had not been takeable last summer.

The southern end of the lake, off Omori, Kuratau and Whareroa, was proving productive, as was Waihaha Bay on the western side of the lake, he said.

Climatic changes, floods and eruptions have taken a toll on the fishery in the past 10 years.

Angler numbers have fallen 22 per cent on Lake Taupo since 2005, while adult licence sales have decreased from 12,557 to 9,791 since 2006.

Taupo Hunting and Fishing owner Mike Stent said the fishery had improved each year since 2009.

“It’s coming out of a hole and for the past three years the fishing has been getting better and better.

“The fishery is in good heart, we’ve seen big improvements and there is plenty of smelt around this year for the trout.”

Stent hoped the improvements would encourage people to start fishing again.

“A lot of anglers stopped because of the lean years. What many don’t understand is Taupo is a wild fishery and it slowed up because of floods and eruptions over recent years. Many of the spawning runs were wiped out.”

 

From Didymo Dave:

Hi People,

No I’m not referring to a mighty trout caught at lake Taupo but rather a mighty intercept at the Picton ferry.  The photo attached shows one of two signs that a lady drove passed and completely ignored last week as she went to drive onto the interislander ferry.  However Steve, the bloke in the photo was as usual sharp and onto it and managed to get out of the lady the info that she had been goldpanning in the South island.  He asked if he could see the gold and she produced a jar, full of water with a few specks of gold in it and yes, both the gold and the water had come from a didymo positive river. She refused to let Steve tip the water out and as he has no authority there was nothing he could do about that so quick as Jumpin Jack Flash he emptied a sachet of detergent in the jar which completely coloured the water so you couldn’t see the gold and said “take that home with you” and please look after our country better in the future!!!

Tongariro Alpine Crossing – who pays?

If you are contemplating the list of essential must-do activities that have to be completed on your bucket list then get this one – the TAC – out of the way now.

If it is not on your bucket list then add it now.

Why?  It is the best one day walk in NZ.  How can we tell?  It is the most popular one day walk in NZ.  Kiwis have so many other great walks and other eco touristy activities and have voted with their feet.

Over 70,000 people do it every year.  Visitors from all over the world come here just to do it.  If you can walk then you can do it.

So the TAC (“Tongariro Alpine Crossing”) has to be on everyones bucket list.

But now “they” are going to charge you for it.  SWMBO has no idea who “they” are but all the ominous signs are there.

Should visitors be paying to walk or use facilities in our National Parks?  That is the question.

The issues are complex and everyone has a different view.  But that is also why they will soon find a solution which is most likely to charge tourists.  Then the next question is to identify who are the tourists?  Overseas tourists only?  Domestic tourists?  Everyone?  The Tourist Industry is riddled with conspirators:

TIA Chief Executive Martin Sneddon’s latest promise is “to engage with the industry, take a thorough look at all the perspectives and quickly find solutions”.  He says “I have indicated to our members that we should be going back to a clean slate and looking at the whole of this package of issues through different eyes”.

The General Manager of Tourism for MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) Adrienne Meikle says “We are always open to considering new ideas from the industry and look forward to engaging with the industry on these issues in more detail over the next year.”

Lincoln University Tourism Professor David Simmons suggests that “We have to move away from providing so much free of charge, when things are certainly not free of cost.”

Tourism Export Council board member Steve Shearer asks “Where does the central government vote work in with council funding?  Where do the responsibilities start and finish?”

Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno, says “… It is needed for providing infrastructure.  All our small towns on tourist routes are currently seen as a burden on ratepayers, where tour buses stop to use the toilets.  Without funding how do we keep them clean, never mind upgrading them…” etc.  (Taupo District Council solved that at Turangi.  They removed them…)

When they hide behind industry jargon like “engage with the industry” they really mean finding a method on how to squeeze more revenue out of you.  It all looks like the greedies will get their way…  It is just another tax.  And you thought that is why we have DOC?  And you imagined that freedom of entry to our National Parks is enshrined in the legislation?  Sorry.  Blame Rogernomics.   “User pays” has infiltrated the Kremlin.  Worse, the precedent has been set by anglers.  They are now scheming and planning to charge overseas anglers an additional access fee.  How ridiculous.

SWMBO’s view?  To charge them at all is ridiculous.  They should be encouraged – not discouraged.  She maintains overseas anglers should not pay any licence fee at all.  But then She might be considered biased.  This is the thin edge of the wedge.  If they get away with it they will be charging our grandchildren to hike or bike up the Tongariro River.  It is called ‘progress’?

So plan your stay at TRM now to “freedom walk” the Tongariro Crossing before they decide to charge you for it. OK?

DOC Media Release

Date: 14^th of December, 2012

Electronic lures prohibited in Taupo Fishing regulations

The Department of Conservation has become aware that some electronic fishing lures are being used in Lake Taupo to catch trout and want to inform anglers that the use of these lures is prohibited by the Taupo Fishery regulations. These lures come in a variety of colours and resemble a flatfish style lure. On the underside of the lure is a small stainless steel canister approximately 10mm long which contains a microchip crystal and a small metal ball which rolls around inside. As the ball strikes the microchip crystal it produces a tiny electric impulse which duplicates the nerve discharge of a wounded baitfish.

DOC does not have an issue with the lures themselves but only with the small chips attached underneath. This chip is clearly electronic and therefore, contravenes Section 20 (1) (b) (vii) of the Taupo Fishery Regulations 2004 which states that “A person must not use for the purpose of taking trout any fish attracting electronic device”.  In many instances the same chip is also attached to flasher plates and the use of these flasher plates with the chip also breaches this section of the Taupo Fishery Regulations.

With an influx of anglers arriving to fish the Taupo area over the Christmas and New Year period, we would like to remind all anglers and charter boat operators that the use of any electronic lures is currently prohibited. This is endorsed by the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee.

With a review of the Taupo Fishery currently underway, a review of the Taupo Fishery Regulations is likely to be one of the recommendations for the near future to help make the regulations more user friendly and more in line with Fish & Game. Such a review will look into new and innovative lures and methods of fishing and is timely given the rapid development of fishing equipment over recent years.

Photo caption: The use of lures with electronic chips attached in Taupo lakes is against Taupo Fishery regulations.

 

Contacts

Mark Venman, Fishery Operations Manager

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 3847158 [email protected]

DOC Media release – re Tongariro Alpine Crossing access

13^th December 2012

Volcanic action likely to mean busy summer in Tongariro National Park

 The Department of Conservation says it is expecting a busy summer season in Tongariro National Park following heightened publicity after the recent volcanic activity.

DOC says summer is always a peak period for the park and the recent activity on both Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu has increased the region’s profile.

DOC’s Ruapehu Area manager, Jon Maxwell, said that a wide range of hiking, mountain biking and sightseeing activities are available on both mountains and much of the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track remains open.

He says the mountains have been attracting big crowds recently and staff are gearing up for even more visitors over the next few months.

“Tongariro National Park offers visitors the unique opportunity to tackle world class walks whilst traversing a vibrant and dynamic active volcanic landscape,” said Mr Maxwell.

Mr Maxwell advised visitors that the Te Maari section of the Alpine Crossing closest to the most recent eruption will remain closed due to on-going volcanic activity, as will the recommended no go zone around Ruapehu’s Crater Lake.

“Gas and steam are still coming from Te Maari crater and GNS scientists tell us this area is still a potential risk for increased volcanic hazard in the foreseeable future. The Ruapehu crater lake activity is still not at normal background levels and is being closely monitored by GNS science.  The Department will advise when the access recommendation changes.”

The Mangatepopo road and carpark are temporarily closed to the public, to relieve congestion issues while the Te Maari section of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is closed.   Public parking is available at Whakapapa Village, where shuttles operate to the Northern Circuit and Tongariro Alpine Crossing track entrance.

For the rest of the park it’s business as usual.

“Much of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is open, including what most consider the most scenic leg past Ngauruhoe and up to the Emerald Lakes, with its stunning volcanic landscape, and there are dozens of other tracks on both mountains to explore.”

DOC says GNS Science indicates the heightened volcanic state of Te Maari may continue for some months and the department will continue to monitor the situation closely.

For information on visiting Tongariro National Park and to find out about the range of activities on offer a new website has been set up www.officialtongariro.co.nz  or visit www.doc.govt.nz or contact the Whakapapa Visitor Centre 07 892 3729

 

23 November Media Release

DOC reports trout spawning numbers highest in 10 years

Fig 1. Above – Peak spawning run counts for the Tauranga-Taupō, Waimarino, Whitikau and Waiotaka rivers

Peak spawning run counts of adult trout in the upper sections of the Tauranga-Taupō, Waiotaka and Waimarino rivers have been the highest recorded since 2001/2002. “This is a very positive sign for the fishery”, says Taupō fishery ranger Ray Bond, “the number of spawning trout has been close to double the peak counts of recent years”.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has been using drift dive surveys to monitor the number of adult spawning trout in the tributaries of Lake Taupō since the 1990’s. The number of trout migrating to the upper section of a river, closed to winter angling, is monitored to identify trends in the size of the mature trout population returning to spawn from year to year. The information gathered is used in conjunction with other monitoring programmes to ensure the number of trout running the rivers to spawn is sufficient to provide for both satisfactory winter angling and successful recruitment of juvenile trout to the fishery.

Drift dives are undertaken monthly each year from July until November. Normally, spawning counts are low during July and slowly increase over the winter months before peaking during October. “Many of the earlier dives had to be postponed due to flooding or poor visibility, however the last few dives were able to be completed and the highest peak counts we’ve recorded in 10 years” says Mr Bond. The increase in the number of spawning fish is also reflected in the data collected through the Waipa Steam fish trapping operation. “We are heading for the highest count of spawning trout in Waipa trap since 2007” says Mr Bond.

Anglers are reminded that the upper reaches of the Taupo rivers re-open to fishing on 1 December through until 31 May. Please check the map on the back of your Taupo fishing licence for more information. With good numbers of trout still spawning in the upper reaches of the rivers, there should be plenty of angling opportunities available to those seeking something a little different.

Remember to CHECK, CLEAN and DRY when moving between waterways.
Contacts  Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations, Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

 

23 November

Fishy business going on at Lake Rotoaira

X Turangi Chronicle

Approximately 4300 juvenile rainbow rout were successfully released into Lake Rotoaira and its tributaries at the end of October as part of a joint exercise between the Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Lake Rotoaira Trust.

Lake Rotoaira is a privately owned lake administered by the Lake Rotoaira Trust on behalf of its owners.

These fish were stripped last year from adult fish in neighbouring Lake Otamangakau and raised to yearling stage (approx. 200mm) in the Trout Centre.

Whanau from local hapu marked these fish prior to release by removing their adipose fin, located between the dorsal fin and the tail.

This will help the trout collect valuable data on fish growth and survival rates to determine the success of the project over the next two to three years.

Approximately one third of the fish were released via boat at three seperate locations on Lake Rotoaira beased on direction from local hapu.

The first land based release occurred on the Wairehu Stream which flows alongside the Otukou marae….

The remaining trout were released at the Opotaka boat ramp and at the Poutu canal…

Lake study to understand trout size

x Taupo Times by Iris Riddell

A study to understand Lake Taupo’s phytoplankton and zooplankton populations has potential to be the “Holy Grail” for fishery managers.
…One potential cause was nitrogen in the lake not being recycled properly into the trophic chain….
…The three-year $108,000 study will be carried out by a PhD student form the University of Waikato.
…Simon Jolly said fishing was at its best in the 20′s and 30′s when it was clean.
“The clarity of the water is less than it was 20 years ago, and the fishery did downturn a few years ago because there wash;t enough food for the smelt.  That was felt two years later and we’re still rebuilding the population from the starvation period.  The smelt population is now more than we’ve seen in five years and the condition of trout is getting better and better.
Gary Lyttle said fishing on the lake had improved in the last two years.
“…it seems fishing has generally improved, although that is comparing it to some very bad years before that.  Bit by bit it’s improving, and we’ve had reports of good amounts of fish of good size and colour in the flesh.

 

Media release

Date: 20 November, 2012

Public workshops for Taupō Fishery project

The Department of Conservation is holding two public workshops next week for the community to explore and discuss opportunities for the Taupō Sports Fishery.

The workshops will be held in Tūrangi on 28^th November and in Taupō the following day.

A joint project exploring future opportunities for the fishery examining, the current situation and identifying and exploring future opportunities for the iconic fishery will be completed by the end of next month.

An online survey seeking public comment on the future of the fishery received more than 740 responses. The survey closed last week and seven participants from Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taupō won vouchers or fishing weekends for taking part

To complement stakeholder meetings and the results of the survey, the project team is holding the two public workshops so that locals in the wider community can be involved in this important process. Dave Lumley the Taupo Nui a Tia Area Manager for the Department says that these workshops will be an opportunity for the community to assist the project team and actively work through the issues and opportunities associated with the fishery.

The department is joined in this project by the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Iwi, Eastern Region Fish and Game and the Taupō Fishery Advisory Council.

The team has been working with a wide cross section of the wider fishing community including anglers, fishing guides, fishing shops, local tourism providers, Councils and other interested parties to ensure all current and future opportunities for the Taupō Fishery are being identified in conjunction with our project partners.

Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Chief Executive, Tamarapa Lloyd says “Involving the Trust Board and Ngāti Tūwharetoa in the fishery review is a positive step in the right direction. We need our families to participate and share their thoughts with the project team”

To register for the 5.30pm workshops to be held  at the Türangi Citizens Advice Bureau Hall and the Taupö Yacht Club contact  Kim Alexander-Turia – [email protected]  or 07 384 7163.

Contacts

Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations,

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

From Dominion Post, Monday, November 5.  By Mike Watson.

Lake Taupo too clean for trout, anglers say

Millions of dollars pumped into cleaning Lake Taupo of excess nitrogen levels may be damaging the lake’s valuable trout fishing industry by stripping the lake of valuable food sources for trout.

Anglers from Advocates of the Tongariro River say the acclaimed Lake Taupo Fishery is in “crisis”, with catch numbers down and smaller fish being caught than before.

The fishery – estimated to contribute $70 million a year to the local economy – was far from being the best trout fishery in the world, the group says.

Licence sales have dropped as much as 2o per cent in five years as anglers bypass Taupo and head for Rotorua lakes for bigger limit bags.

Conservation Department Turangi Taupo area manager Dave Lumley said Lake Taupo may be too clean, with lack of nutrients in the water contributing to the trout not getting enough to eat.

Shallower Rotorua lakes contained more nutrients from nitrogen runoff and wastewater, and bigger fish, he said.

The Conservation Department together with Taupo District Council and Advocates for the Tongariro River is about to launch a three year study programme to find out why the Taupo fishery has declined.

The $108,000 project, undertaken by a PhD student, will examine the interaction between the lake’s phytoplankton and zooplankton and smelt, which are the main food source for trout.

The study would help identify the “missing link” in the lake’s ecosystem, Mr. Lumley said.

“We don;t know enough about how the lake functions or the link between phytoplankton and zooplankton and how they contribute as a food source for smelt.”

It was clear bigger fish were being caught in Rotorua lakes, but it would be too easy to label less nutrients, or cleaner water, as the main factor behind the decline, he said.

The decline was reversible, and the fishery was showing improvement after the lean years from 2004-06 when floods and weather patterns disrupted spawning runs, he said.

Advocates for the Tongariro River member Eric Wilson said lower numbers of smelt might be a factor behind smaller trout in the lake.

“The study will give a better understanding of the food chain in the lake and how much food source is available,” he said.

Skinny trout were being caught, which suggested food was low.

During Taupo’s heyday, trout gorged on a ready supply of native species for food, he said.  Those species had almost gone, and been replaced by smelt.

“Ten years ago I could fish for an hour and catch 3-4 fish.  Now I fish for an hour and get one fish”.

Local and central government are investing $81 million to remove 2o per cent of nitrogen from leaching into Lake Taupo by 2020.

Farmers now need resource consent to farm, and more than 100 dairy and dry stock farms bordering the lake have had nitrogen levels benchmarked to reduce runoff.

Since 2007 the amount of nitrogen entering the lake has been reduced by 140 tonnes a year.

DOC Media release Date: 2 November, 2012

Public Meetings for Taupō Fishery Review

A joint project exploring future opportunities for Taupō Sport Fishery is well underway and it is examining the fishery history, the current situation and identifying and exploring future opportunities for the iconic fishery.

An online survey seeking public comment on the future of the fishery has received a great number of responses. Since it went live more than 600 people have completed the survey. This is your last chance to take part in the Survey which closes on the 12th November and can be accessed at www.doc.govt.nz/taupofishery.

To complement the results of the survey, the project team is planning on holding two public workshops so that locals in the wider community can be involved in this important process.

The department is joined in this project by the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Iwi, Eastern Region Fish and Game and the Taupō Fishery Advisory Council.

The team has been working with a wide cross section of the wider fishing community including anglers, fishing guides, fishing shops, local tourism providers, Councils and other interested parties to ensure all current and future opportunities for the Taupō Fishery are being identified in conjunction with our project partners. Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Chief Executive, Tamarapa Lloyd says “Involving the Trust Board and Ngāti Tūwharetoa in the fishery review is a positive step in the right direction. We need our families to participate and share their thoughts with the project team”

The workshops will be held in Türangi on 28th November, 5.30pm at the Türangi Citizens Advice Bureau Hall and Taupö 29th November, 5.30pm at the Taupö Yacht Club. A light supper will be provided, for catering purposes please RSVP to Kim Alexander-Turia – [email protected] or 07 384 7163.

Dave Lumley the Taupo Nui a Tia Area Manager for the Department is very pleased with the level of feedback that has been received so far and is looking forward to working with the community at the upcoming workshops.

Contacts

Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations, Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,
Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

Other comments on DOC’s review of the Taupo fishery…

From www.fishing.net.nz:

I have just stumbled onto this on the DOC site.    Is this a big snow job or what?   I know this is what you do these days to give the impression of having widely consulted right down to whanau level.
Lets not get confused this is DOC’s response to the general concern about the downturn of the Taupo fishery.    The truth is that 99.999999% of the respondants to  this consultation farce have not a clue about what caused the decline nor how to fix it.    The only thing anglers know well is how to catch fish and at Taupo they want to catch good solid fish in reasonable numbers.    It is the job of the fishery managers to ensure that the Taupo fishery delivers.   The problem is highly technical and the solutions ( if there are any) need to be scientifically based.

Lets keep the PR department out of this.

R.

Response:

You may be right Rainbow, but I think anglers need a way to give DoC feedback and this looks like a good way to do so. I for one have made a submission, mainly about the DoC refusal to stand up to the regional council and at least try to stop them from using the Tongariro as a gravel pit in the middle of the spawning runs! If they realy need to do the work they could at least do it in the Summer.
All the best.
M.

DOC ‘workshop’ meeting in Turangi on 28 November at 5.30pm

Tongariro River Motel have tried to make sure you are all very aware of the DOC project exploring future opportunities for the Taupo sports fishery, plus examining the fishery history, the present situation, and identifying future opportunities?  If not dial up TRM’s Current Issues for more info and fill in the online survey before 12 November.  Big prizes too…  The survey can be accessed at:

doc.govt.nz/taupofishery

DOC are now holding a public ‘workshop’ meeting in Turangi on 28 November at 5.30pm at the Turangi Citizens Advice Bureau hall and in Taupo on 29 November at 5.30pm at Taupo Yacht Club.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Update:

(By Tongariro Expeditions – Shuttle bus operators.)

IT IS OVER!!!!

Finally the winter season is over even thought the weather doesn’t seem so yet.

Just some info for you, currently the entire track is expected to reopen fully by this weekend coming. DOC has cleared the track of any dangerous debris as a result from the eruption; we are just awaiting the all clear from the vulcanologists as to any recent activity.

It will be advised to hikers that they should hike quickly from Ketetahi to the end of the track as a lahar danger is still present which if triggered is expected to pass over the track. We will have updated track info and maps for all our hikers to highlight these risks.

We usual we will be running a number of service times throughout the season, these service times may change from day to day due to the weather and demand. We will be still offering several departure times from the track end returning home so quick hikers do not have to wait for hours, (this has been the most popular service.)

If any of you have any questions or quires please call us on 07 377 0435 but we will be coming around to see you all this week to explain booking systems pricing and times.

Thanks heaps for your continued support over this interesting winter season.

This is what to expect if you knowingly transport an algae (like Didymo)….

Student sold banned algae on Trade Me

by DAVID CLARKSON
Last updated 03/10/2012

A woman who breached New Zealand’s biosecurity laws by importing moss balls cried as she was sentenced today.

Jasmine Louise Maxwell, 20, a university student in Christchruch, had pleaded guilty to seven charges relating to breaches of the Biosecurity Act and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.

Maxwell imported moss balls and sold some online.

They are an aggressive algae used in the northern hemisphere to clean fish tanks but would have caused a disaster on the scale of didymo if they had got into New Zealand’s waterways.

The moss balls are an absolutely prohibited import.

The Ministry of Primary Industries told the Christchurch District Court it was concerned that Maxwell wanted to work in the airline industry.

“She’s a person who cannot be trusted to go through biosecurity on a very regular basis,” prosecutor Grant Fletcher said.

He said the consequences of the moss balls being released “could have been utterly catastrophic and could still be catastrophic”.

Biosecurity officials cannot tell if any of the moss balls she imported have got into the Avon River.

If only one filament has reached the river or the Avon-Heathcote Estuary it could cause an outbreak that would be difficult to control.

“It will be watched extremely carefully by the ministry,” Fletcher said.

Judge Jane Farish ruled out a discharge without conviction and told Maxwell she was being over-emotive in saying the offending on her record would condemn her to life as a cleaner or shop assistant.

She should continue with her studies and get a good degree, the judge told her.

Maxwell would have to admit to employers that she had been silly when she was younger and had learnt a hard lesson.

Fletcher said Maxwell’s offending had resulted from “immaturity, vast stupidity and youthful arrogance”.

She had continued with her activities even after a warning from the ministry.

The court was told that Maxwell had a university qualification that included biosecurity. She is now working part-time and continuing to study.

Defence counsel Phillip Allan said Maxwell had been interested in the moss balls and had sold some for between $14 and $16 on Trade Me. She had not intended to make a lot of money out of the sales.

She had expressed her regret and had at times been overwhelmed by the prosecution. She had also been dealing with family and earthquake stress at the time.

“But for the earthquake, Miss Maxwell may be been thinking a little clearer and all this may not have happened,” Allan said.

Maxwell began crying when the judge listed the maximum penalties, which include five years’ jail and a fine of $100,000.

She told Maxwell: “The consequences of release within New Zealand would be severe. It would not be dissimilar to didymo. Control would be difficult to manage and expensive.”

She assessed Maxwell as immature and recognised that she was highly remorseful. She accepted that her mind had not been “on the job” at the time.

The judge imposed a sentence of 250 hours of community work to reflect the seriousness of the offences, and said she hoped Community Probation could find an agency placement for her.

( Ed.  In a perfect world she should have to work for Didymo Dave for 250 hours…)

2 October – DoC media release:

Exploring Future Opportunities for the Taupō Fishery

DoC’s Project Update

Take part in our survey and go into the prize draw
Complete our online survey at www.doc.govt.nz/taupofishery and have your say about the future of the Taupo Sports Fishery.
Whether you fish or not, we are interested in hearing your views.
Everyone who takes part in the survey goes into the draw to win one of two amazing fishing weekends for two, provided by some well-known local fishing lodges. Tongariro Lodge and Turangi Bridge Motel have provided weekend accommodation packages as prizes. Hunting and Fishing Taupō have also provided a number of $100 vouchers to give away.
The survey closes on 9 November 2012 so make sure you complete it before then!
Please check the website regularly for updates. You can also receive email updates by sending your details to [email protected]
The online survey is part of a project exploring future opportunities for Taupō Sport Fishery is underway.
The project aims to draw on the knowledge, skills, and experience of a wide range of fishery and destination stakeholders to identify future prospects for the fishery and the region. It will examine the fishery history, the current situation and to identify and explore future opportunities for the iconic fishery….
The Taupō Sports Fishery is managed by the Department as a sustainable trout fishery. It is internationally renowned,    and already contributes significantly to the social, economic, environmental and cultural well being of the region.
The project involves a review of the wider fishery (including marketing, management and accessibility) to establish how the fishery can meet the demands of all anglers, key partners and other stakeholders in the long term.
This project involves significant public and stakeholder engagement to capture the experience, knowledge and insight of those who are currently involved in the Taupō Sport Fishery, and those who are not but could have a valuable role to play in its future.
February 2012

Terms of Reference – Taupō Fishery Review

Objective:

To ensure that management of the Taupō fishery delivers a world class, sustainable trout fishery which contributes optimally to the social, economic, environmental and cultural well- being of the region.

The Taupō fishery is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). To achieve the objective the Department wants to ensure that:

•    Taupō is a sustainable world class fishery and destination for anglers,

•    The Taupō fishery is an integral and integrated part of Destination Great Lake Taupō,

•    DOC’s management of the fishery contributes to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the region,

•    DOC is well integrated and aligned with its key partner in the fishery, NgātiTūwharetōa, as well as other fish and game and fisheries managers (including the Lake Rotoaira Trust), the angling community, district and regional councils and energy companies,

•    As the Taupō fishery manager, DOC has the confidence of its key partner, stakeholders and the support of the wider community.

Context and Background to Review:

The 1926 Māori Land Amendment and Māori Land Claims Adjustment Act established a relationship between the Crown and Ngāti Tūwharetōa to manage the Lake Taupō Sports Fishery. The Crown, initially through Internal Affairs, Wildlife Service and then the Department of Conservation (since 1987), has exercised its part in this relationship through the management of the fishery.

The Taupō Fishery includes Lake Taupō and its tributary rivers including the Waikato River to Huka Falls; Lakes Moawhango and Otamangakau and the Waikato River between the control gates bridge and Huka Falls.

The sports fishery, in particular Lake Taupō and the Tongariro River, is internationally acclaimed. The Taupō fishery receives the highest level of angling use of any in the country and provides approximately 40%of New Zealand’s total freshwater sports fishing.
The Taupō Sports Fishery Management Plan is due for a formal review in 2012. It’s timely, therefore, to discuss the present management regime and identify opportunities and options for future improvement.

The Conservator identifies this as a particularly important project especially in context of the current world-wide economic downturn and a recent decline in the health of the fishery. The latter has drawn concern from some in the angling community as well as other stakeholders, including the Taupō District Council.

Additionally, there have been several recent structural changes within DOC culminating in a merger between the Tongariro Taupō and Wanganui conservancies. The newly created Tongariro Whanganui Taranaki (TWT) conservancy includes a new area office joining the Fishery and Turangi Taupo areas into one, known as the Taupō-nui-a-Tia area.

It’s intended that this review, together with information from a 2011 public consultation process and subsequent discussion document, will support the development of a new ten year management plan, and give confidence to all stakeholders and the wider public that the fishery is in good hands. As well, the review outcomes will give managers direction and guidance, and provide the Conservator with confidence that management structures and processes are both effective and efficient.

Key issues and opportunities for exploration

In order to achieve its overall objective, the Department has identified seven critical areas for the Review Team to examine. These are:

1. Effective and transparent governance

* Governance and advisory processes:

How well are they working?

How well do they meet the key partner and stakeholder’s expectation?

* The Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee model:

How effective is it?

How responsive is it to licence holders?

What are the improvement opportunities?

The interface with the Tūwharetōa Māori Trust Board (TWMTB) and Conservation Board

How does this work?

What improvements are needed?

2. Management direction and systems

* How well aligned are they with:ƒ

The Department’s strategic direction? ƒ

Other fishery agencies’ strategic thinking? ƒ

The Tūwharetōa Iwi Environmental Plan? ƒ

Taupō District Council’s community outcomes? ƒ

The aspirations and expectations of licence holders/anglers?

* How effective is the Sports Fishery Management Plan as an instrument to set the long term direction and management philosophies?

*  How does the Sports Fishery Management Plan interface with existing conservation management strategies?

*  Financial and internal systems and processes

How well integrated and transparent are existing financial systems?

How are resources allocated?

How are outputs aligned with outcomes?
*  Is the fishery being managed from the best location?

*  What are the capability gaps?

3. Honouring the agreement between the Crown and Ngāti Tūwharetōa, relating to the Taupō fishery

*  How well does DOC understand and acknowledge Ngāti Tūwharetōa aspirations and expectations?
○    What are the opportunities?
*  How does Ngāti Tūwharetōa wish to engage and discuss issues such as:

○ Revenue

○ Mana

○ Governance

○  Cultural wellbeing

○ Licensing?
*  How well do existing systems meet expectations and needs?

*  What is the general understanding of the Ngāti Tūwharetōa/Crown relationship?

○    How can this be better communicated?

4. Productive and positive stakeholder relationships

* How well do we understand and acknowledge wider community and other stakeholder expectations and aspirations?

*   What is the current state of relationships with licence holders and other stakeholders?

*   What are the opportunities to grow, improve and/or integrate with them? For example with:
○ ○ ○
Fish and Game Councils at both a national and regional level

Destination Great Lake Taupō Taupō District Council

Taupö Fishery Advisory Committee

*   What is the role of National Trout Centre?

*    How effective are the current methods of communicating with, and reporting to, licence holders and other stakeholders and what future opportunities can be identified?

5. Examine the current state of the fishery:

○    What are the opportunities to improve it?

○    What are the current interventions and what are the possibilities?

○    What role does the National Trout Hatchery have in terms of research and inter-
vention aimed at improving the fishery.

○    How well is the threat of a didymo incursion and/or other pest species understood?

○    How can fishing pressure be relieved?
*  How are science needs currently determined?

○    How are they applied and what are the future opportunities?

○    What are the issues regarding genetic engineering?

*  The Taupō fishery is cyclical:

○    How well is this understood?

○    How can this be better communicated?

*  What role and input does the Taupō fishery have in the broader catchment and lake management?

○    Where are future opportunities?

*  What is the role of the Taupō fishery in freshwater advocacy?

○    What are the future opportunities?

*  Fishery access:

○    How is the fishery accessed?

○    Who uses and accesses the fishery? (e.g. families, individuals, commercial operators)

○    What are the issues and how are they currently managed?

○    What are future opportunities?

6. Optimising the economic contribution of the Taupō fishery to the region

*  Identify the current contribution of the Taupō fishery to the regional economy.

○    How can this be increased e.g. by destination marketing, a focus on the overall visitor experience, new licensing packages, improving the angling opportunities etc.

*  What are the current revenue trends and how can they be increased?

7. Maximising the Taupō fishery’s contribution to the social wellbeing of the community

* Growing the market:

○    What is the current focus on keeping current licence holders ‘in the game’?

○    What are the opportunities?

○    How are these communicated?

○    What is the current approach to education? ○    What are the opportunities?

○    What is the role of NTC?

NB: The above list is not conclusive and as part of the review process it’s anticipated that other issues and opportunities will be identified.

Under each area the aim of the Review Team is to summarise key issues and opportunities as well as to highlight the gap between the current state and desired outcomes and to provide these recommendations to the Conservator.

Scope

The review process includes:

*An examination of the current state of the Taupō fishery and its management.

*Identifying opportunities for improvement and recommendations to the Review Sponsor

The review process excludes:

Structural changes (e.g. the fishery will continue to be part of the Taupō-nui-a-Tia area office)

* Changes to the current legislative framework

* Changes to the Crown’s management role under the 1926 Agreement with Ngāti Tūwharetōa.

Review Sponsor

Damian Coutts, Conservator Tongariro/Taupō/Whanganui Conservator, Ngāti Tūwharetōa

Conservation Liaison Committee

Expected Measurable Outcomes

A report that clearly identifies strengths and weaknesses of the current management model and approach together with opportunities for future improvement.

This report must be of sufficient quality to be used as direction and guidance for the formal statutory review process (Taupō Sports Fishery Management Plan) and be used by managers to drive improvement. It will address the two key areas identified in the context section by:

*  Researching and providing recommendations on the structures, processes and systems employed in DOC’s fishery management to ensure confidence in its efficiency and effectiveness.

*  Examining, and providing recommendations on the long term direction and management philosophy.

Methodology

A Review Team established; consisting of representation from the Department of Conservation, Tūwharetōa Māori Trust Board, Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee, and Fish and Game (regional)1. An external consultant2    will be engaged to support the review process.

*  Critical stakeholders and staff engaged through surveys, individual interviews and workshops to include: the National Trout Centre, Destination Great Lake Taupō, Fish and Game Councils, anglers and potential anglers, Ngāti Tūwharetōa, Lake Rotoaira Trust, Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee, Taupō District Council, Department of Internal Affairs (Harbourmaster function), regional councils and energy companies.

○    Survey/questionnaire to licence holders based on the Terms of Reference

○    Specific workshops held with Ngāti Tūwharetōa, local businesses and Destination Great Lake Taupō, Fish and Game and Taupō District Council staff, and representatives of the angling community (including members of the Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee)

○    Individual interviews and a workshop with Department of Conservation staff

*  Steering Group (quality assurance) established3 : consisting of representation from the Department of Conservation, Tūwharetōa Māori Trust Board, Fish and Game (national), and the Taupō District Council

○    Peer review draft report

○    Consider progress reports and provide ongoing input as required

1    Role to lead workshops and interviews, consider survey responses, oversee the drafting of the report, and sign-off on recommendations. Expected time commitment for members up to 40 hours over a 6-8 week period. Membership – Alan Simmons ( Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee), Rob Pitkethley (Manager, Eastern Region Fish and Game), Tūwharetōa, Mark Venman and Bill Fleury DOC

2    Role will be to pull together survey questions, arrange and facilitate workshops, record outcomes of interviews, workshops and surveys and draft report. Expected time commitment 80-100 hours and up to $15,000

3    Role to consider progress reports, review draft report. Expected time commitment 8-10 hours over the period of the review. Mark Davies DOC representative.

Communication

Develop a communication plan for both internal and external audiences. Suggestions are:

External:
Create an interactive webpage which includes key documents and survey questions. Post outcomes of interviews and workshops to this page with opportunities for comment and feedback

Internal:
All DOC staff with an interest in the outcome of the review will have an opportunity to give their views (either through workshop, individual interview or written submission)

Reporting and Management

The Review Team will provide a monthly progress report to the Conservator and the Ngāti Tūwharetōa Conservation Liaison Committee.

Related exercises and documents

○    Destination Great Lake Taupō planning exercise ○    Review of National Trout Centre ○    Taupō Sports Fishery Management Plan review ○    2011 discussion document (as part of the Taupō Sports Fishery Management Plan
Review) and the consultation process undertaken

Timeline

The Review Team will be established by 1 March 2012 and will begin work immediately.
The consultation process will take place between March and June 2012, with a final report provided to the Conservator and the Tūwharetōa Trust Board Chief Executive by 30 September 2012.

Kid’s Fishing

The Tongariro National Trout Centre is a great place for kids.
Feed the trout in our Children’s Fishing Pond, check them out in our underwater viewing chamber and learn about the Taupo fishery and the Tongariro River.

On special days of the year we open our pond for childrens public ‘fishouts’. These days always book out so contact us today to make your family booking.

For more info go to LINKS.

Tongariro Trout Centre

Children’s dates for 2012

Oct. Wed 3rd
Oct. Sun 21st (Labour Weekend)

2013
Jan. Wed 9th
Jan. Wed 23rd

Fish & Game – Rotorua

Hello everyone – attached please eamil for a poster detailing Sunday’s open day at Ngongotaha.
There’s a little something for everyone and it’s a great way to get motivated for the new season!
If you have any questions please email me [email protected] or give me a call on 021 244 1774.

Regards

Mark Sherburn

Fish & Game Eastern Region
1130 Paradise Valley Rd,
Private Bag 3010,
Ngongotaha

Tel 07 357 5501 (ext. 808)
Mob 021 244 1774
Fax 07 357 5503
mailto:<[email protected]>
Web:Fish and Game Eastern Region

2012 Fish & Game council elections

Fish & Game elections will be held November 2012.

Do you want to help protect fish and game species for future generations to enjoy? Are you happy with how your licence fee is spent? Do you want to put something back into the fish and game resource?

Fish & Game councils are elected by adult whole season licence holders. This is the chance to have your say about who best represents your fishing and hunting interests at a council meeting.

If you feel you have something to offer, consider standing for your local Fish & Game council in the forthcoming elections.

The role of a Fish & Game councillor includes setting fishing and hunting regulations, approving work plans, developing 10-year species management plans, appointing staff, setting policy and promoting fishing and hunting in the community.

One councillor from each of the 12 Fish & Game regions is appointed to the NZ Fish and Game Council, which in consultation with regions recommends licence fees and considers national issues.

All Fish & Game councils provides an essential role in our ‘user pays, user says’ democratic management of sports fish and game birds. This system is unique in the world and relies on anglers and hunters being prepared to stand for election and also voting for who they want on their regional Fish and Game councils.

Here you will find the information you need for the forthcoming Fish & Game elections – however, if you require any clarification on any points please contact your local Fish & Game office, or call the Election Helpline on 0508 666 447.

1. Election background

• Election timetable:

Saturday, Sept 15 - Public Notice of Elections; Call for candidacy/registration for electoral roll
Thursday, October 11 – Nominations close at 5pm
Friday, October 19 – Electoral Roll closes at 5pm
Tuesday, October 30 – Lodgement of Voter Packs with NZ Post
Tuesday, November 20 – ELECTION DAY (voting closes at 5pm)
Thursday, November 22 – Postal votes close; official results produced
Saturday, December 1 – Official declaration; public notice of results
Wednesday, December 19 – Elected members to take office

• Fish and Game Council regulations – click here.

2. Are you enrolled to vote?

To be shown on the electoral roll you would have registered to be an elector at the time of buying a licence (by signing or ticking the electoral box on the licence form).

You are entitled to be on the roll if you hold an adult whole season fishing or hunting licence, or are the primary holder of a family fishing licence for the 2011/12 fishing season or 2012 game season.

You are also eligible to vote if you are a holder of such a licence and have, in the period of 3 months before the close of the roll before the election is held, chosen to participate in the election.

To be eligible to vote your name needs to appear on the electoral roll for your preferred Fish and Game Council.

To check whether your name appears on the roll or to have it added, please consult with your local Fish and Game office.

ALL VOTES ARE IMPORTANT SO REMEMBER TO REGISTER AND VOTE

3. Standing for election and voting

Visit the 2012 Fish and Game Council Elections Resource Page where you will find:

• Nomination handbook
• Enrolment form
• Regional candidacy papers
• Public notices by region

4. Nominated candidates and profiles

Available after nominations close

5. Vote

• Voting instructions

Voting papers will be posted from October 30.

Once received you can choose to vote online (see link below). Online voting is available up to 5:00pm Tuesday November 20.

If you intend to vote by post, you will need to post your voting papers by Friday, November 16, to ensure they are recieved by the Returning Officer by the close of voting.

PLEASE NOTE: Voting will occur only where there are more candidates than the 12 available seats on each regional Fish & Game council. If this does not occur, these candidates are automatically elected without an election taking place.

• Online voting – click here

PLEASE NOTE: Online voting is available from Tuesday, October 30.

6. Results

Result will be published here after the official declaration

Council appalled by deliberate dairy discharge

Friday, 21 September, 2012

Exploring future opportunities for Taupo Sports Fishery

Media contacts:

Robyn Orchard, Duty media advisor
ph: +64 27 476 1769

Dave Lumley, Taupo-nui-a-Tia Area Manager
Ph: +64 7 384 7135

Date: 14 September 2012
A project exploring future opportunities for Taupō Sports Fishery is underway.

The Department of Conservation’s Taupō -nui-a-Tia Area Manager Dave Lumley says the project aims to draw on the knowledge, skills, and experience of a wide range of fishery and destination stakeholders to identify future prospects for the fishery and the region.

The project intends to examine the fishery history, the current situation and to identify and explore future opportunities for the iconic fishery.

The department is joined in this project by Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Eastern Region Fish and Game and the Taupō Fishery Advisory Committee.

The Taupō Sports Fishery is managed by the department as a sustainable trout fishery. It is internationally renowned, and already contributes significantly to the social, economic, environmental and cultural well being of the region.

“It is important that we build on what we already have, and look at new and innovative ways to grow and expand the fishery  so it becomes an integral element of the Taupō region,” says Dave.

The project team wants to engage with past, present and future anglers to determine what is working well and what could be done to ensure the fishery continues to grow, expand and be sustainable and successful.

Over the coming months, the project team will be working with a wide cross section of the wider fishing community including anglers, fishing guides, fishing shops, local tourism providers, Councils and other interested parties to ensure all current and future opportunities for the Taupō Fishery are identifed.

Further information on the project and how you can be involved be found on www.doc.govt.nz/taupofishery or by emailing [email protected]

Posted Saturday, 1 September 2012

Sightings of Blue Duck On The Hinemaiaia

Hi People,

A local fishing guide and 2 other people have reported sightings of a pair of Blue Duck ( Whio) on the Hinemaiaia Stream between the water supply carpark and the Cliff Pool area.

This is particularly exciting as the Blue Duck is classified as an endangered species.  Native to New Zealand, it is on the back of our $10 banknote and there are estimated to be only 2500 birds left.  I realise that many fishermen see them regularly on back country streams like the Whakapapa and may not realise the threat these birds are under.

Long considered an indicator of water quality, any change to their habitat through the introduction of Didymo would be disastrous.  Their breeding programmes are also threatened by Stoats, Weasels and Rats and only with intensive trapping of vermin have Blue Duck been able to breed successfully.

Luckily the Hinemaiaia Stream has been trapped for vermin over the past 4 years by local anglers and so the chances of this pair breeding successfully are good.

It would be appreciated if anglers could please adhere to the CHECK CLEAN DRY programme,  keep their dogs on leashes when in this area and try not to disturb the birds.  Didymo Dave would appreciate hearing of any sightings of Blue Duck on the Hinemaiaia Stream and can be contacted on 027 2409603

Editorial from NZTroutFisher October issue:

In the wild, most varieties of rainbows spawn in the spring, however, spawning may occur anytime . . . water temperatures reach 10-16 C. (1) . . . water temperatures over 11°C kill brown trout eggs. (2)

Caveat Piscator

By Peter Storey (Editor of NZ Trout Fisher magazine)

That sudden release of Tarawera Selective Breeding Programme trout into Taupo also confused me.   I get all press releases DoC makes and was therefore under the impression the test project was still taking shape.

To be frank, the whole idea of an early main run seems wishful. Facts. It was peaking July/August when John Sierpinski wrote Taupo Fishing Guide in 1969.   Throughout 21 years of publishing, I’ve processed copy from a string of Taupo writers and DoC staff, all trying to make it plain that an August/September main run is most likely; and in recent years it’s been September/October.   So, a three month slide in just over 40 years. Push this pattern back 70 years to the late 19th Century and you end up around March.   It’s folklore?   The main run, based on eggs collected in California is simply adjusting to the southern hemisphere over time.

That simple premise is complicated by an unknown mix of original ova, of course.   Taupo has rainbows that run early and sit around in the river feeding, while most run clean through to spawning gravels in spring.   TSBP fish, mostly, run early; so do their wild ‘cousins’ upstream of Wairere Falls, in Rotokakahi (Mussel rather than Green Lake, I’m told by local Maori).  Every winter that outflow is full of spawning fish and their run peaks exactly when the largely artificial trap run does; June/July.  Are these fish different to those making up the main Taupo run, or are there other critical factors involved?

“Rainbow trout are referred to as “spring spawners” (as opposed to brown trout—fall spawners).  In California, wild rainbow trout may spawn from late November through late July depending primarily, on the location, elevation and stream flow.  In southern California mountains, with elevations where the rainbow spawn ranging up to about 8000 feet spawning most often occurs Dec-Apr.  At lower elevations in California’s central valley and foothills, spawning in the tailwaters below dams that release cold water may begin in December and last into April or May.  In general, spawning at lower elevations and more southerly locations of the state has a peak in the winter months, Jan-March.  At higher elevations and more northerly parts of the state spawning is later, in general, April-June.  Other factors like spring creeks with relatively constant temperatures have a different peak that may be earlier than high elevation Sierra Nevada waters.  Russian river and nearby streams (the most likely sources of NZ rainbows) support “winter-run steelhead” and those rainbows spawn usually late-Jan thru May.”

Dave Lentz , Native Trout Conservation Coordinator, California Department of Fish and Game

From my weekend trap data, Te Wairoa fell below 10oC for just days in June and two weeks in July. Further, the larger runs all occurred comfortably within the quoted 10-16oC water temperature range and the largest, at 13.5oC.  At about 500m asl for Rotokakahi feeders, before April the rain-fed stream is warmer and it’s heading up again by mid-August.  Wild or hatchery-reared and of whatever Californian genetic origin, Te Wairoa rainbows spawn early because they must.

So my first conclusion was that this project is an attempt to see if Te Wairoa rainbows will refill an identical but largely empty water temperature window in Taupo rivers.

Taupo has spawning habitat to burn where Rotorua does not—hence the long-standing hatchery programme.  If such a window existed in Taupo rivers, after 100+ years of wild spawning by rainbows that are genetically very close to those in Te Wairoa, it should already be occupied.  It’s not.  Logically then, the higher elevation-sourced Taupo river water cools too soon for meaningful early rainbow spawning and brown trout occupy the <11oC slot. (There are, to my knowledge, no brown trout in either Tarawera or Rotokakahi.)

So my final conclusion was that the factors guiding this project are mainly commercial and it seems from Belinda’s article, that assumption was correct.  Perhaps this study actually reflects the level of negative pressure from anglers and local business.  Throw an endless economic depression into the mix with falling licence sales and the total negative package has directed judgement?  That’s supposition, but a scenario I personally acknowledge only too well.  Diminishing income is highly distracting and when driven by something you cannot fix, frequently misleading.

As far as I can see there are only two feasible ways to achieve a meaningful early run of rainbow trout into Taupo rivers.  The first is for winter water temperature to rise.  This scenario will also progressively take care of any interference by brown trout—extinction—the future of NZ’s entire wild trout population, if global warming continues long enough.

The second, I’ve just learnt, is to roughly double the current Lake Taupo trout population artificially and find out whether the result is sustainable, the hard way. Nothing I know about DoC Turangi suggests they would do this casually or willingly.

Licence revenue alone will not support the cost of turning TNTC into an operation roughly triple the size of that at Ngongotaha.  Whether the project works or not, however, simply establishing a clear public association of the country’s largest single wild trout fishery with ‘put-and-take’ certainly opens aquacultural doors.  Nationwide.  Is the money already waiting in Wellington, for the opportunity?  The bottom line in that last respect is, this test went ahead on the divided opinion of <1% potential vote.

Caveat Piscator. Just $90 a year buys a self-sustaining wild trout fishing package that’s envied worldwide.  Those who wish to, can already target a naturally-focussed Autumn spawning run of brown trout and an almost constant flow of spawning rainbows, peaking equally naturally in Spring.  On behalf of the majority of NZ trout fishing I therefore hope Taupo anglers will make their feelings plain en masse, when the results of these tests are presented.  If the long term future of NZ trout fishing is ‘put-and-take’, let it be from necessity alone.

(http://www3.northern.edu/natsource/FISH/Rainbo1.htm) 2. (http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/trout-and-salmon/1)

Media release from Fish & Game NZ  – 9 September

Fish & Game opposes attack on RMA

Fish & Game NZ has joined leading environmental organisations warning the Government about the perils of re-writing the RMA.

Environmental Defence Society, Ecologic, WWF, Forest & Bird, Greenpeace and Fish & Game last week sent an open letter to Environment Minister Amy Adams outlining their concerns about a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) report on proposed changes to the Act.

“Fish & Game has previously stated that proposed changes to the RMA would be a disaster for both the environment and New Zealand’s ‘100% Pure, clean green’ economic advantage – that view holds more firmly than ever,” says chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“The recommendations would substantially lower environmental standards throughout the country – and that goes completely against the core purpose of this legislation.”

Removing the terms ‘protect’, ‘preserve’, ‘maintain’ and ‘enhance’ from the RMA “smacks of political opportunism to fit a perceived Government economic growth agenda”, says Mr Johnson.

“It’s an out-and-out attack on the environment, paving the way for rampant and unsustainable development.”

A key example is the proposal to scrap clause 7(h) which specifically references ‘protection of the habitat of trout and salmon’ – this would remove what water resource developers see as a road block to their plans to privately profit from the public water resource, Mr Johnson points out.

“Because trout and salmon have the highest water quality and flow requirements, the clause relating to the protection of their habitat benefits all in-stream values – introduced and indigenous species alike – essentially offering some safeguard for the health of our waterways.”

The RMA isn’t broken and doesn’t need fixing, adds Mr Johnson: “What it needs is consistent and forthright implementation by those responsible for its administration.

“The recent Horizons One Plan decision of the Environment Court, which establishes limits around pollution and injects some real environmental sustainability into agriculture, shows the current system is working for the environment, not against it as the TAG proposals would .”

Fish & Game NZ is also concerned at the TAGs recommendation to axe section 7(c) of the RMA, which requires the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values.

“This clause is central to the protection of outdoor recreation. Any attempt to remove it will be of grave concern to many thousands of New Zealanders.”

For more information contact: Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson on 021397897

Media release from Fish & Game NZ

One Plan ruling a win for all NZ

5 September 2012

Fish & Game NZ says an Environment Court ruling on the Manawatu-Wanganui region’s One Plan sets a precedent for resource management that will be far reaching.

Declining water quality and historically poor management of this most precious natural resource in New Zealand has become one of the defining environmental issues of our time.

Intensification of land use is the greatest threat to water quality and has been the least likely to be addressed by regional councils.

The ruling was yesterday handed down on areas of the Horizons Regional Council’s regional policy, the One Plan, under appeal from groups such as Fish & Game, the Department of Conservation, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, the energy sector and private parties.

“The Environment Court has provided an unequivocal judgement on a significant environmental matter,” says Wellington Fish & Game manager Phil Teal.

“For too long there has been a flagrant disregard for how land use impacts on water quality, with unsustainable land development and agricultural intensification exacting a huge toll on our most precious resource.

“This decision represents a seismic shift in natural resource and freshwater management in New Zealand. While recognising the importance of the primary industry, it also mandates the necessity of concrete action through a rules-based planning approach to protect and improve the environment and particularly our freshwater resource, which is so crucial to our national identity and ‘100% Pure, clean green’ brand.

“It’s a good decision for all New Zealand creating much better balance which has been long overdue – a win-win, putting New Zealand agriculture on an environmentally sustainable footing and setting in train a requirement to clean up its tarnished image.”

As the first regional plan to tackle nutrient management on a catchment basis, formation of the One Plan – and the subsequent appeal – has been closely watched around the country as an opportunity to develop a blueprint for the rest of New Zealand.

Among other key rulings, the decision means irrigated sheep and beef farming, as well as the horticulture sector, will be classed as intensive land use, and therefore will be brought into a nutrient and sediment management regime to reduce losses to waterways.

The Environment Court found the arguments put forward by Fonterra, Federated Farmers and Horticulture New Zealand on the One Plan were deficient, with the Court ruling that those parties did not represent “sustainable management”.

In summing up the Court stated: “We have little sympathy for the line of argument that we should defer taking decisive action in the field of improving water quality… to fail to take available and appropriate steps within the terms of the legislation just cited would be inexcusable.”

Mr Teal says the ruling now provides certainty for all parties – “It’s good for the environment and good for industry and development because we all know where we’re heading.”

Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson says: “The judgment is a major step towards mandatory environmentally sustainable best on-farm practice, which can only be good for our agriculture sector in the international market.

“New Zealanders want their waterways restored to being swimmable, fishable and safe for food gathering – this decision delivers on that.”

Fish & Game appealed the One Plan to ensure there were adequate provisions for dealing with water quality issues and provided evidence to complement New Zealand’s best technical experts on these issues.

Key points:

Developed by New Zealand’s leading experts across sustainable land use, agriculture, freshwater ecology, biodiversity, landscape, planning and law, the One Plan sets a blueprint for integrated catchment management to protect freshwater and its values in New Zealand.
Water quality and quantity numerical limits have been set by leading independent experts with robust scrutiny so they weren’t influenced by advocacy of self-interest or political influence groups.
Endorsement that agricultural land use is a significant contributor to the degraded state of the region’s freshwater ecosystems and as such should be regulated to measurable performance standards, best management practices and leaching targets.
Leaching targets should not be based on ‘grand-parenting’ but set on the natural capital of land and that these leaching targets should reduce over time, ramping down leaching allowances.
The court ruled that in regards to farming there cannot be a reliance on voluntary approaches alone. Even if those programs exist such as the clean streams accord, they need the reinforcement of a regulatory regime to set measureable standards and to enforce compliance with them. Permitted activity is not appropriate.
For more information contact:

Wellington Fish & Game manager Phil Teal – 021859120

Fish & Game CEO Bryce Johnson – 021397897

CONTACT:

Fish & Game NZ
Ph: +64(021)994768
Email: [email protected]

TRM Enquiry re Braids

Thanks to Lawrie Donald of Waikato Regional Council for explanation of what is happening down in the Braids – TRM received a reply on the same day! 

31 August – TRM’s enquiry: Could you please email a copy of the Draft Management Plan for the lower Tongariro Floodway Maintenance for this year and what is proposed in the future – so that we could place it permanently on our website.

For the last few months we have had a steady stream of frustrated anglers returning from down river after they have seen the flood protection work.

Reply:

I can send you a copy by end of next week I hope. The copy at the moment is a draft that was out for consultation. The consultation period is over now and I will finalise the document later next week so that it can go out as the proposed works programme for this year.

As you may know there has been some urgency for the river works to supply the flood protection that ratepayers are paying for. The works done have restored the flood control scheme to the design flood protection standard rate payers understand they are being provided with.

As the works are for protection of Turangi township the first objective has been to provide the flood protection expected by the community.
There has been much consultation with DoC and fishing groups as well as other users of the river for the future management of the area of the river where the works have been carried out. As a local you will be well aware that this part of the river is a deposition zone where the river widens and drops out much of what is carried during flood flows. The future management of this part of the river , in particular for the flood control scheme will be the periodic management of the deposited material.

It is hoped that this level of intervention in the river will be a one off with future maintenance works being minor. This will be dependent on flood flows and deposition naturally.

I hope the improved access to the river and the re-establishment of vegetation in the next few months will improve the fishing enjoyment for fishers.
There is to be a joint plan of what would improve the fishing experience while managing the river for  flood control through this part of the river with DoC and others..

In essence the remainder of the river, unless there is serious erosion or large dollops of sediment at a site, will be left to its own devices.

Lawrie Donald
Zone Manager Lake Taupo and Upper Waikato Zones
Rivers and Catchment Services
Waikato Regional Council
P: +64 7 378 6539
F: +64 7 859 0998
M; 021 859 929
Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240

TRM enquiry re Non-resident licences:

29 August: A number of Australian anglers have recently asked the present status of the proposal to introduce a non-resident licence at a higher level.

Can you please advise where this is at?  i.e.

1 Is it definite?
The licence fees for the 2012 to 2013 fishing season starting on 1 October 2012 have already been set.  These do not include the non-resident licence fee.

2 How much more are they expected to pay?
 If the new licence is introduced it will be set following a process of it being formally recommended to the Minister of Conservation by the New Zealand Fish and Game Council. This process will commence in July 2013.   

3 When will it be introduced?
 The new licence will not be introduced prior to the 2013 to 2014 fishing season commencing on 1 October 2013.

 4 Do you still require feedback opinion from anglers on this issue?
The formal consulation period has concluded but feedback from anglers, both resident and non residents would still be welcome.

DoC Fishery report: July 2012 summary

Recent storms causes track damage

It’s been years since rangers have seen
trout at the Grotto in large numbers

Significant damage occurred on the Tauranga Taupo River with sections of both angling track and road lost during the flood which peaked at an impressive 2.5 metres. We are currently working to re-instate the angler access tracks throughout the middle reaches of this river. The Hinemaiaia River also suffered erosion with the river being the highest it has been for several years.

Tongariro River

Overall, the Tongariro River fished well during July with an estimated catch rate of 0.32 fish per hour (1 fish every 3 hours) which was an improvement over the 1 fish every 4 hours estimated for June. Almost 30 fish caught by anglers and weighed by DOC staff averaged 478 mm and 1.3 kg (2.9 lbs). It is encouraging to see fish in the 1.4 to 1.7 kg range (3 – 3.75 lbs) appearing amongst angler’s catches and longer than 500 mm in length.

Smaller tributaries

The other rivers such as the Tauranga-Taupo and the Hinemaiaia have also fished well with reasonable numbers of fish caught throughout. Smaller streams like the Waiotaka are also worth a look at this time of year with fish currently holding in some of the deeper pools downstream of the prison boundary.

Traps and drift dive data

Drift dive counts of spawning fish commenced in early August and indicate that the spawning runs are still in their early stages across the eastern tributaries. We expect the runs to continue to build over the next couple of months and for spawning to peak during late October / early November.

Fish numbers are starting to build at the Waipa Stream fish trap, a tributary of the Tongariro River near Rangipo, with 97 rainbows and 88 browns trapped during July. This is up slightly on the 86 rainbows and 62 browns trapped during the same period last year. The rainbows trapped in July this year averaged 472 mm and 1.2 kg while the browns averaged 572 mm and 2.4 kg.

Graph showing trout numbers and rainfall for July

Lake Otamangakau

There has been no shortage of fish passing through the Te Whaiau Stream fish trap near Lake Otamangakau. A total of 1,052 trout were trapped during July with only six of these fish being browns. This is similar to what was trapped during the same period last year. The browns averaged 549 mm and 1.8 kg while the rainbows averaged 550 mm and 2 kg. August should see good numbers of rainbows continue to pass through but the run is expected to come to an end during early September. With some double figured fish amongst this year’s run, the prospects are looking encouraging for this summer at Lake Otamangakau.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo has continued to produce fish throughout July but the fishing can be hard at times with fish focussing on other things at this time of year! Harling can be a productive way to get fish during winter. Anglers should concentrate around the shallow margins and drop offs, especially at first light or late afternoon. Some of the fish being caught are certainly bigger than recent years and are in great condition which is very encouraging for the coming summer months. Ideally anglers should continue to target the rivers over the next two months and make the most of the spring running fish.

Didymo still a threat

Scientists from the Cawthron Institute in Nelson took water samples from 13 North Island rivers in 2012 (including the Tongariro River) and were able to grow Didymo in their laboratory using water samples from the North Island. Therefore the need to ‘check clean dry’ between all rivers, including the Lake Taupo tributaries remains a priority.

Anyone wanting information on the location of cleaning stations, needing spray bottles or further information on the ‘check clean dry’ process can contact Didymo Dave on + 64 27 240 9603.

Department of Conservation Media release

Date: 14 August 2012

Research into Taupo Fishery Early Spawning Runs

In early August 2012, as part of a small research project, the Department of Conservation released 5000 marked yearling rainbow trout into the Taupo catchment. Fingerlings were released at the river mouths of the Waimarino, Tauranga Taupo and Tongariro Delta. Releases were also made at the Bain, Birch and Blue Pools on the Tongariro River and a small release in Lake Otamangakau.

This experimental release is aimed at researching the feasibility of reinstating and reinforcing the early part of the spawning run that sustains the winter fishery in Taupo. This is part of the project described in the last issue of the fishery magazine “Target Taupo”, and is endorsed by the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee.

Dr. Michel Dedual, resident fishery scientist says “Tarawera Trout obtained from Eastern Fish and Game were specifically chosen due to the common genetic ancestry they share with Taupo trout, and their early spawning tendencies”. The fish released were of a suitable size to avoid likely predation by browns in the river.

As a follow up to previously published articles, further details about the project will be presented in the upcoming issue of Fish and Game and the next Target-Taupo issue. “Fears that this will undermine the “wild” status of the fishery are unfounded. This is a small experiment involving only 5000 fish, and will have no lasting effects on the wild spawning in the fishery” says Graham Whyman, Chairman TFAC

The trout have been marked with a fluorescent dye identifiable by colour to their release location. The dye has been marked behind their right eye and is clearly identifiable to anglers. These trout will become part of anglers catch in two to three years. If anglers land any of these marked trout, please contact the Taupo-nui-a-Tia area office with the details of location, date, size and colour of dye.

Photo caption: A pink mark visible behind the eye, typical of trout released in the Tongariro River.

Contacts

Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations,

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

Mark Venman, Programme Manger, Fishery Operations

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7158 [email protected]

Anti-discrimination case against motel owners?

A recent court case in Australia is sure to be of interest to all anglers?…  Interesting in that it may well have huge implications for all accommodation owners and operators in all countries.

A sex worker has won an anti-discrimination case against motel owners in a Queensland mining town who refused to rent her a room.

The ruling could have wider implications in Queensland, where the mining boom is also fuelling a boom in the sex trade.

The Queensland Civil and Administration Tribunal has ruled the owners of Moranbah’s Drovers Rest Motel, southwest of Mackay, contravened the Anti-Discrimination Act.

The Gold Coast-based sex worker, who can only be identified as GK, had stayed at the motel 17 times in two years until owners Evan and Joan Hartley discovered in 2010 she was bringing clients to her room. They then banned her from staying at the motel.

GK lost her anti-discrimination case last year but appealed last month.

A hearing date is yet to be set to decide on compensation for GK, who sought $30,000 last year.

The owners’ barrister, David Edwards, told AAP his clients were considering an appeal.

During the tribunal hearing, GK’s lawyer argued many people used the telephone or internet at the motel for business, and a bed was no different…

Protecting our wild & scenic waterways

Crafted by nature. Delivered by the clouds. Aged in the mountains. Protected in perpetuity by Water Conservation Order (WCO).

A WCO is the highest level of protection that can be afforded to any water body, preserving its outstanding natural values for all freshwater fish, wildlife, outdoor recreation and generations to enjoy.

Forces Unite To Protect Wild Rivers

Published on Thursday, Aug 9, 2012

While political debate centres on claims to water ownership, environmental and recreational groups are spearheading a campaign to raise awareness of Water Conservation Orders (WCOs) which protect some of the country’s most outstanding rivers for all New Zealanders.

Fish & Game NZ, Forest & Bird, Environmental Defence Society (EDS), Whitewater NZ, Federated Mountain Clubs and other environmental and recreational NGOs have teamed up to highlight the importance of WCO-protected waterways – 15 throughout the country – and push for the protection measures to be strengthened.

Bryce Johnson, Fish & Game chief executive, says although there is wide recognition of New Zealand’s network of National Parks, very few Kiwis are aware that WCOs provide similar high-level protection status to some of the country’s most precious rivers.

“Over the past two decades we have experienced a significant decline in water quality, and New Zealanders now identify this as their biggest environmental concern,” notes Mr Johnson.

“Freshwater management is the issue of our time, and it has been and will continue to be a highly contentious topic.

“This campaign, however, represents a great opportunity for all Kiwis to set aside their differing views and celebrate WCO waterways – jewels in the crown of this country’s natural landscape which have been protected for all New Zealanders to enjoy and which are vital to our ’100% Pure, clean green’ brand.”

Campaign initiatives include the launch of the WCO website, erecting WCO signage and unveilings at key locations around the country to identify these waterways of national significance, and raft and kayak flotillas down WCO-protected rivers.

Former All Blacks captain Anton Oliver is fronting the campaign in his role as WCO ambassador.

EDS chairman Gary Taylor says the timing of the WCO campaign is right, given the host of controversial water-related issues presently at the fore. And like the other organisations involved, EDS strongly supports moves to strengthen WCOs.

“Water conservation orders are the only effective mechanism available to protect freshwater,” says Mr Taylor. “EDS particularly supports moves to examine how land use adjacent to wild and scenic rivers can be better regulated to limit its impact on water quality.

“New Zealand’s WCO rivers are part of our joint heritage with iwi and just as important as our National Parks, and they must be protected for their natural, scenic, wildlife and recreational values.”

He says with our freshwater resources under significant pressure from hydro and irrigation demands the dangers of over-allocation and pollution have never been greater.

Forest & Bird conservation advocate Nicola Toki says the organisation is pleased to push for greater recognition WCOs and strengthening of the legislation.

“New Zealand’s wild rivers provide crucial habitat for endangered native species like the whio, or blue duck, which inhabit fast-flowing rivers and streams like the Manganui-o-te-ao River in the central North Island, protected by WCO in 1989.”

Along with Fish & Game and the other organisations behind the WCO campaign, Forest & Bird has been at pains to emphasise that urgent steps are needed to safeguard the country’s remaining wild rivers: “Most of our lowland rivers and almost half our lakes are now polluted. Where will our kids be able to swim if this continues?

“WCOs are a robust and tried legal measure which has worked to safeguard some of our most iconic rivers,” Ms Toki says. “We now have a national policy statement on freshwater that says we must protect outstanding water bodies, and Water Conservation Orders are a legal tool that can achieve that requirement.”

Dr Doug Rankin, conservation officer for Whitewater NZ, says the status afforded to a river by a WCO is of “immense value” to his members and the wider New Zealand public.

“WCOs recognise the values of our rivers, whether it’s cultural, scenic, fishery, whitewater, ecological or recreation values – and afford a measure of protection against future development and exploitation.

“Only one other country in the world, the US, offers similar protection to its outstanding rivers, through its Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.”

Since the granting of the first WCO on the Motu River in 1984 (primarily for its whitewater recreation and wilderness and scenic values), Whitewater NZ has actively worked alongside Fish & Game and Forest & Bird to obtain many of the WCOs now in place, including those on the Ahuriri, Rangitikei, Mohaka, Grey, Buller, Kawarau, Motueka and Rangitata rivers.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright recently called for broader protection of wild and scenic rivers. Those behind the WCO campaign want the Government to act on that recommendation.

DoC Media release

Date: 8 August 2012

Tongariro River still fishing after eruption

The Tongariro River has not been greatly affected by the recent eruption of upper Te Maari Carter on Monday night.  After the eruption there was a light westerly wind that took the majority of ash towards Napier.

A small amount of ash was detected at the Waipa Stream fish trap by fishery rangers and report from a local angler who was out fishing on Tuesday said there was a slight sulphurous smell and a slight discolouration with a lot of floating pumice.

Dr Harry Keys, DOC Scientist advises that the slight discolouration was due to the minor ash fall and that the amount of floating pumice would not be related to the eruption.

The Department of Conservation will be keeping a keen eye on the river conditions over the coming days to asses the impacts.

There appears to be no obvious effect on the aquatic life, so it’s fishing as normal for anglers on the Tongariro River.

Contacts

Kim Turia, Programme Manager Community Relations,

Department of Conservation Taupō-nui-ā-tia,

Ph (07) 384 7163 [email protected]

Why our whitebait are at risk

Last updated  02/08/2012

27

In the spirit of the Olympics, I thought it timely to feature some of our extreme athletes of the natural world, masters of swimming endurance, strength and agility. I am of course talking about wriggly, wonderful, whitebait. They would clock up a series of gold medals, being so tiny yet having been found 200km out to sea, for their ability to climb sheer vertical waterfalls and for their ultimate endurance in surviving their many threats. But perhaps time is running out for our much loved whitebait.

As I have mentioned (probably repeatedly), I hail from Southland, so whitebaiting is a huge part of my heritage.  When I was a kid, I wrinkled my nose up at whitebait (much to the delight of parents), and requested the “eyes” to be taken out – there’s something rather unnerving to eat food that’s looking back up at you.

The bloke quite enjoys whitebaiting, but I suspect it’s more the hour or so of peace and quiet he gets while perched on a riverbank. I go with him on occasion, but I’m not that popular, since I a) talk a LOT while the important business of whitebaiting is happening and b) cheer loudly when I see a group of whitebait edge around the outside of the net and make their way further upstream.

If you listen to old-school whitebaiters, tales of taking away the bait in kerosene drums some 50 years ago are not uncommon. You’d be hard-pressed to get that kind of volume now, and despite fluctuating catches from year to year, most whitebaiters agree that catches today are far reduced. So what’s the story?

If you weren’t already aware, whitebait are not in fact a single kind of fish, they are the juvenile or larval form of five different species of native freshwater fish. They grow up to become inanga, koaro,  banded kokopu, giant kokopu and short-jawed kokopu. These native fish are known as galaxiids, due to the Milky Way-like galaxy patterns found on the adult fish, in particular the giant kokopu. Inanga makes up by far the largest portion of whitebait, but the other four species are in serious trouble – now as threatened as wood pigeons.

When it comes to survival, these little fish are up against it. First they have to run the gauntlet of predators on the river, which includes trout, shags, eels and humans with nets. However, a more sinister and destructive presence is threatening their very existence, and indeed the much-loved whitebait fritter – the pollution of our waterways and the destruction of whitebait habitat.

More than 90 per cent of our lowland rivers are now polluted, and we know that the intensification of agribusiness has contributed largely to this problem. What we are now seeing is the impact of that “progress” on the long-term survival of our freshwater fish.

New Zealand freshwater ecologist Professor Mike Joy predicts that if we keep polluting at the rate we do now,  our native fish will be extinct by 2050.  He says we should revise the whitebait regulations, get licences for catching whitebait, that we do it for trout (a common, introduced fish) so why not whitebait (threatened, native fish)? Why is it you can sell it to restaurants? Shouldn’t we just catch a feed for ourselves and our families? He’s getting people rarked up because he wants New Zealand to have a wider debate about what is happening to our freshwater. In my view he’s got a point.

Four out of five of the whitebait species are threatened, but whitebait regulations haven’t changed in decades. During that time, we’ve increased the number of cows to more than the number of people in New Zealand.  Just to give that some context – Colorado is around the same size as NZ, has 20 per cent more people, and has a total dairy cattle herd of 130,000. We have 6.2 million dairy cows - for the same area of land. It’s not just about dairy cows – in fact many other types of development degrades freshwater, and, yes, urban stream pollution also plays a part, but the impact of stock numbers, conversions, and intensification in recent years cannot be denied.

There are several reasons that’s a problem for whitebait. First, whitebait spawn on a spring tide, by laying eggs in the vegetated areas next to streams. They need cool, moist, protected areas, because the eggs remain there until the next spring tide when they are picked up by the tide, hatch into the stream and wriggle out to sea. Modifying riverbanks and livestock grazing up to the edge of streams wrecks the habitat, and leaves the vulnerable wee whitebait eggs out to dry. A recent study by Canterbury University found that many whitebait eggs are being sunburnt, frying before they even hatch, due to insufficient habitat protection on banks.

The other big problem for whitebait is pollution. Much like attempting to walk or cycle in a polluted city on smoggy days, our freshwater fish struggle to survive in polluted waterways – they need clean, high-quality rivers to thrive. But we’re running out of those. There are some (usually not for profit, or volunteer) organisations that are trying to address this, but the whitebait need the government to look out for them.  Nutrient runoff and sediment filling all the spaces between the rocks in the riverbeds are simply making life impossible for our iconic fish and, in my view, also putting at risk a big part of our heritage. What will it take to stop us losing these things forever?

The whitebait season opens throughout the country – except on the West Coast – on August 15 and runs till November 30, with fishing restricted to 5am to 8pm, or 6am to 9pm during daylight saving. The Conservation Department (DOC) manages whitebaiting.

So, what about you guys? Keen whitebaiters? Noticed a difference in catch numbers? Worried about the state of our freshwater? I know I am. Is it time to give our precious whitebait a break? What do you think we should do to help them out?

(Ed.  There is a solution – see following interview with whitebait farmer Charles Mitchell:_

Whitebait Farming in New Zealand

• May 18, 2011
• Theresa Sjoquist

Charles Mitchell – Research Scientist –

An interview with research scientist, Charles Mitchell, who has managed and built up whitebait populations and is now turning to marine polyculture.

Charles Mitchell, a research scientist, says the complaint about whitebait in New Zealand in the 70s was that there wasn’t enough, so he started research into the management and enhancement of whitebait stocks.

“After working with Ag & Fish managing other fisheries until 1985, I went back to whitebait management and studied the spawning grounds. The basic hypothesis of the limiting factor was that it was known that whitebait laid their eggs out of water along stream banks where cattle often grazed, trampling the eggs and destroying whitebait runs. I wasn’t sure this explained the problem although major programmes were undertaken to fence off and protect streams from cattle damage.”

As a fisheries scientist, Charles’ real job was to make a positive contribution by figuring out why whitebait numbers declined. He moved to Te Uku, in New Zealand’s Waikato region, 20 years ago and bought virtually useless swampland as part of a larger property.

Farming Whitebait

“I thought the best way to learn about whitebait was to see if you could build up a population by optimizing their survival, growth and egg production, by using aquaculture methods. I undertook seven years of research to identify spawning grounds around the country from the West Coast to Northland, Waikato to Mokau and Bay of Plenty, trying to determine what factors affected the survival of whitebait eggs. I followed the spawning, reasoning that you could manage the fishery if you could take a population and observe them. The issue wasn’t necessarily the eggs.”

Charles decided to buy the land and put his money where his mouth was as an independent researcher, and see if he could manage a captive whitebait population. Over the past ten years he’s done just that, building the numbers up and increasing the number coming back to their stream over 5 years by 100 times.

Successful Whitebait Management

“I was steered by good fortune towards significant meticulously kept historical local records. One was Carlin Corbet’s daily catch at the same spot on the Waitatuna River over 28 years, and the other was Neil Gavin’s rainfall records from Te Uku since 1936. When I analysed these two sets of data, it became obvious that there was a strong relationship between the numbers of whitebait coming back to the Waitatuna River each spring and how much rain we’d had in May and June. I could predict with 77% accuracy the size of the whitebait run based on the rainfall.

“In heavy rainfall there was a poor run, and in a dry May and June, there were good runs. The El Nino and La Nina weather patterns also affected the runs. When it rains, the harbour fills up with dirty water comprised of a lot of fresh water, which meant 7mm babies became covered in colonies of bacteria and all the plankton in the harbor got washed out by a huge pulse of fresh water.”

More on this topic

• Whitebait Season on New Zealand’s West Coast
• Aquatic Polyculture in the Modern Garden Pond
• Scientists Work to Discover Cephalopods’ Camouflage Secrets

Funding Shortage Leads to Whitebait Abandonment

Unfortunately, Charles was unable to find the funding support to continue the research so he stopped feeding the whitebait and has begun instead to feed eels and research the possibilities for fattening them.

Major World Market for Farmed Eels

“There’s a huge developing market in export for eels. 7% of the world’s fish meal production goes into the sustenance of eels. They’re very high in omega 3, and Maori relied on them in early years. Over the last five years, whitebait numbers have dropped back to their original population before I was managing them. They don’t grow as big or produce as many eggs.”

Marine Polyculture Farm

“I’m now managing the whitebait farm as a polyculture — in three levels, mullet, eels and whitebait. The whole system is built on natural ecology and relies on tides, and manual sluices built to my own design, which allow fish to enter a holding pond before being transferred through into the safety of the farm.”

As part of a bio-engineering project, Charles and his partners under the Ngai Tahu umbrella, quickly succeeded in ridding Lake Forsyth of a poisonous algal bloom which had baffled scientific specialists for decades.

Turning Effluent into Whitebait Food

Charles currently has a small research grant from Environment Bay of Plenty to turn effluent into whitebait food.

“Oh, yes, it can be done,” he says. “We have the potential to grow huge crops of whitebait and eels if it’s engineered properly. Bio-engineering is engineering the environment utilising nature’s own resources — much the same as permaculture principles but on a much larger scale.”

“Most scientists are reductionists. I’m a synergist – I like to build something and I’m very focused on the results. We need creative solutions to grow a sustainable economy, not just short term, accountant controlled ‘low risk research.

Read more at Suite101: Whitebait Farming in New Zealand | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/whitebait-farming-in-new-zealand-a371777#ixzz22dVn7KKs

1 August Media release from Southland Fish & Game

Cycleway ruling “a win-win”

Anglers are delighted that a commissioner has refused resource consent for a contentious section of the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail.

The decision to refuse resource consent for a contentious section of the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail will be widely celebrated by anglers and those concerned about the development of the region’s finite wilderness areas, says Southland Fish & Game.

Consent for the section of the trail between the Mount Nicholas Road bridge and the proposed Oreti suspension bridge was refused by independent hearing commissioner Denis Nugent because of concerns about significant adverse environmental effects on matters of national importance.

“The trail through the Eyre Mountains section would also have threatened the amenity values of this internationally renowned fishery so we’re delighted with this common sense decision,” says Southland Fish & Game operations manager Zane Moss.

“The Commissioner recognised that the applicant produced no evidence that the success of the trail was dependent on the Oreti route, and that the Mararoa valley was a viable alternative.

“In his 120-page ruling, Mr Nugent concluded that the Mararoa alternative has the additional benefit of not risking the existing economic input of trout fishing tourism, so there seems to be a good case for a win-win.”

For more information contact Southland Fish & Game Operations Manager Zane Moss –  021 2445384.
CONTACT:

Southland Fish & Game
Ph: +64(021)2445384
Email: [email protected]

(View all Southland Fish & Game releases at: http://spinitwide.com/latest-releases/southland-fish-and-game)

 

The last word on the Taupo trout condition debate:

25 July

Hi Ross
Many thanks for a great weekend. After returning home recently from the pressure of the world champs it was fantastic to get amongst some Taupo rainbows. The quality of fish at present is awesome and we could have kept our limit within minutes.  Having fished in Europe i can honestly say our central north island fishing is truly spectacular. We truly do not realise how lucky we are. Many Europeans are extremely jealous of what we have and a trip down under is top of their bucket list. No time like the present so get out there and amongst our truly awesome fishery.
Cheers

Tim McClew
New Zealand Fly Fishing Team

Fears of losing whitebait prompt ban call

KAY BLUNDELL

Fairfax NZ

MIKE JOY: Concerns have been raised over whitebait supplies, with a freshwater scientist fearing four species are under threat unless fishing restrictions are tightened in New Zealand.

As the whitebait season looms, a freshwater scientist is calling for tighter fishing restrictions to protect threatened species.

Massey University’s Dr Mike Joy said four of the five species of whitebait were as threatened as wood pigeons.

“No-one would eat a wood pigeon fritter but whitebait have the same threat ranking,” he said.

The whitebait season opens throughout the country – except on the West Coast – on August 15 and runs to November 30, with fishing restricted to 5am to 8pm, or 6am to 9pm during daylight saving. The Conservation Department (DOC) manages whitebaiting.

Dr Joy said regulations governing the fishery needed updating.

“Whitebait regulations have not changed for decades despite a lot of new information. There is no fishing overnight to let juveniles get up rivers and streams, but now it turns out they do not make their way up at night. DOC has to stop the commercial sale of whitebait in restaurants and look at reducing the season to protect the fishery.

“They are declining and we are going to lose them.”

He believed regulations similar to those for trout should be introduced.

“Trout have total protection – you need a licence to fish them and you are not allowed to sell them.

“Individuals should be allowed to go and catch a feed of whitebait for themselves or a friend but you should not be able to buy them in a restaurant, shop or supermarket.”

Freshwater studies showed if waterways continued to be destroyed at the present rate, there would be no native fish left by 2050, he said.

“That is the warning. We are destroying our rivers. The first sign is all our fish are starting to disappear. People get angry about killing endangered whales but do not take the same stance with whitebait in the backyard.”

DOC spokesman Reuben Williams said whitebait fisheries managed by the department in both the North and South Island were only recreational, though whitebait was sold in restaurants.

“They are not commercially fished,” he said.

“Freshwater scientists, Niwa and DOC monitor catch rates which fluctuate from season to season. You have to look at it long-term. Our role is to manage the fishery at the same time as managing waterways and working with the public to try and improve water quality, especially on conservation land which we administer.”

The whitebait season on the West Coast, where bumper catches are frequently reported, runs from September 1 to November 14.

 

Historic draft plan change process approved by sub-committee

26 July

Waikato Regional Council’s land and water quality sub-committee has today recommended a historic new draft regional plan change process to help protect and restore the Waikato and Waipa rivers.  (Ed.  What about the Tongariro???)

The draft plan change process – which still needs to be signed off by the policy committee and full council at a future date – will involve close collaboration with river iwi, stakeholders such as the farming sector, and the wider community.

The five river iwi involved as partners in the draft plan change are Ngati Maniapoto, Raukawa, Te Arawa river iwi, Ngati Tuwharetoa and Waikato-Tainui.

The recommended draft plan change process reflects the fact that water quality in the Waikato and Waipa rivers has been degraded by many factors over the years, such as discharges of nutrients from agricultural land, industrial and municipal discharges, and sediment from land.

Under the guidance of co-management legislation for the two rivers, iwi and the council will work in close partnership, and with stakeholders, on policies and rules designed to protect the health and wellbeing of the two rivers.

The draft plan change process is designed to give effect to the Waikato and Waipa rivers-related Treaty settlements and agreements between the Crown and the five river iwi. A key part of the negotiated outcomes was the introduction of a Vision and Strategy designed to protect and restore the rivers and the health of their catchments. The Government’s new national policy statement for freshwater management also requires action on this front.

The draft plan change process is due to examine a change to the regional plan rules to address the priority issue of the effects of discharges to land and water on the rivers. This is particularly relevant to the effects of discharges of nutrients and sediment from agricultural land. Having water quality limits and targets will be a central part of the considerations.

A joint working party involving the council and iwi agreed the scope of the work should be limited to the effects on the two waterways of diffuse sources (leaching and run-off from land) and point sources (such as industrial discharges) as a matter of urgent priority, with further work on updating the plan to be carried out in future.

It is intended that a possible plan change for the Waihou-Piako and Coromandel catchments, and the west coast catchment area, would be looked at in subsequent stages to help fulfill council responsibilities under the national policy statement for freshwater management, a report to today’s council meeting said.

It is intended that actual work on the draft plan change process will begin in September and involve discussions between the council, iwi, key stakeholders and the wider community on how best the parties can chart the way forward together. A formal proposed plan change is expected to be publicly notified for submissions in 2015, triggering further opportunities for stakeholder and community input into the shape of any plan change.

 

July 2012

RMA rejig threatens your angling

No apologies for kicking off the July issue of Reel Life with a matter as drab as government policy – the proposed review of the RMA has potential to seriously impact the future of freshwater angling in New Zealand.

For those of you concerned about water quality decline and Fish & Game being able to continue to advocate for freshwater habitat protection, there’s a must-read article from chief executive Bryce Johnson (see below) which details the threat behind the Government’ s policy review.

Fish & Game will vigorously oppose any plan to remove reference to the protection of trout and salmon habitat from the RMA.

On another important matter, we’re making a push to raise awareness of Water Conservation Orders (WCOs) – the highest level of protection that can be afforded to any water body.

There are 15 WCOs across the country, many of which safeguard some of our most outstanding fisheries, and anglers have directly contributed to protecting these through their licence fees.

We encourage you to find out more here and really support your local WCO river or lake. Indeed, why not make it a personal goal to complete a WCO Angling Grand Slam – catch a fish in each of the 15 protected waterways! Now there’s a challenge!

‘Trout and salmon must stay in the RMA’

Published on Friday, July 6, 2012 – 09:15

Fish & Game NZ says suggested changes to the RMA would be an absolute disaster for the environment.

“The technical advisory group seems to have gone way beyond its terms of reference, and indeed it smacks of political opportunism to fit a perceived Government ‘economic growth’ agenda,” says Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“This is being done under the guise of addressing ‘management of natural hazards’, urban and infrastructure development’, but these are already specified as a function of regional councils in some detail in sections 30 and 31 of the RMA.”

Mr Johnson says removing the clause 7(h) – which specifically references ‘protection of the habitat of trout and salmon’ – would lead to further water quality decline.

“Given the critical status of the water quality in our lakes and rivers, you have to ask: Why would the Government want to remove one of the few statutory protection measures for freshwater ecosystems? You don’t have to be a political scientist for the most probable answer.

“This would remove a roadblock to environmentally unsustainable development, enabling further and faster decline of freshwater quality. Make no mistake – any attempt to lessen the protection of trout and salmon habitat in the RMA is full-frontal attack on the environment.”

Because trout and salmon have the highest water quality requirements, section 7(h) protects all in-stream values of our freshwater resource – introduced and indigenous species alike. It has also given Fish & Game NZ a mandate for its advocacy around the protection of freshwater quality and quantity.

Lincoln University’s research reveals that the biggest environmental concern amongst New Zealanders is the country’s failing water quality. Mr Johnson says the Government should be doing something to address that level of worry, not the opposite.

“Putting economic benefits into sections 6 or 7 would tip the playing field away from the public interest when it comes to fresh water.

“The proposed changes to the RMA would strip away the very few statutory references we have to give some struggling integrity to the 100% Pure, clean green New Zealand brand.

“The TAG report also recommends axe the current s7(c) that requires the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values – this clause is central to the protection of outdoor recreation under the RMA.”

 

Tongariro Roll Casting Clinic

If you are interested learning this fantastic fly cast join Herb at the National Trout Center in Turangi on the 25th of August at 10 am.     This is his fifth clinic to raise money for the Trout Centre Society which retains all the money raised.

Course fee  $75.   Bookings can be made with the TCS on 07-386 8085. 

The Programme:

Morning

Introduction and a brief history of the Tongariro Roll Cast

Short casting film taken on the Tongariro River.

Casting demonstration on the Birch Pool

Lunch

Afternoon

Practical phase by phase learning this cast on the river ( Lower Bridge Pool)

Your instructors will be Herb Spannagl, Bill Nikl and George Johnson

What to bring

Your usual fly rod with a long belly line and leader but no bombs or flies.

A well treated medium size indicator.  (Most indicators are made of globug yarn and quickly get water logged when roll casting.    In Herb’s experience the best indicators are made of polyester.)

Sunglasses (eye protection)

Waders   (you will be standing in water to about mid calf)

Wet weather jacket (in case it rains)

Camera if you want to record the various phases of this cast.

See you there

Herb Spannagl

History repeating itself in water debate

Mick Strack

There is a widely held belief and expectation that water is an asset that is common to all. It is certainly a free-flowing and largely un-owned component of our natural and physical environment.However, our English-derived common law generally assumes any property rights in tidal and navigable rivers are held by the Crown, while all other rivers are held within private titles.

In other words, the common law has no problem with, first of all, assigning property rights (such as use of, and access) to water, and also recognising private title to rivers, neither of which have unreasonably restricted publicly asserted rights such as fishing and use of rivers.

The current debate about “ownership” of water and rivers has arisen because the Crown, in proposing to sell state energy companies, is apparently (even if not legally) assigning a set of private property rights to the water and rivers involved, that may impinge on the exercise of Maori customary rights to rivers.

These issues are not new.

They have been decided in our courts, reviewed by the Waitangi Tribunal, and in various forms have been acknowledged by government action and policy, so it is unfortunate they are being played out again, in the volatile public forums we are exposed to, with little acknowledgement of the legal history.

Maori customary law obviously perceives rivers differently to English common law.

The Privy Council (at one time, our highest legal authority) has warned our courts against “rendering native title conceptually in terms which are appropriate only to systems which have grown up under English law”.

In other words, New Zealand common law accepts the unique circumstances of New Zealand and incorporates components of Maori law within our legal system.

This means Maori issues should not be confined to the scope of English law.

In this context, the Waitangi Tribunal has described rivers as a taonga (the full, exclusive and undisturbed possession of which is especially protected by the Treaty of Waitangi) and as “a whole and indivisible entity, not separated into beds, banks and waters”.

Our courts have also assertively stated Maori customary rights continue to exist unless they have been explicitly relinquished by the customary right holders, or have been explicitly extinguished by the clear and plain intent of legislation.

This is the exact outcome of the Court of Appeal’s decision nine years ago in relation to the foreshore and seabed.

It has been the outcome of several previous court decisions in regard to rivers, and it will undoubtedly be the outcome of any potential case brought in the current debate about what will be lost and gained in any state asset sales.

Our court has also asserted that a dam on a river, while being owned by an energy company, may not impinge on Maori customary title to a river, so perhaps any court action may not be sufficient to stop any asset sales.

The problem remains that our courts will only answer very specific questions and often leave the big picture unanswered.

So we will still be left with some uncertainty about the scope and content of Maori customary rights to rivers, just as we have been left with few specifics about Maori customary rights in the sea.

One component of a Maori customary right includes Maori role as kaitiaki; their management of the river.

Given the state of many New Zealand rivers and the state of current management, it would be a good thing if specific hapu with mana over their own rivers held and applied their management duties for the greater good of us all and of our natural environment.

Customary rights are normally held communally or collectively, and they are not individual and exclusive.

They are unlikely to deny general public rights to use and enjoy rivers, and Maori have often recognised this fact.

Several Maori have announced the current objection to privatising state assets is not initiated by a desire to limit public rights, but just to ensure those common rights are not sold into private ownership without first recognising the existence of underlying customary rights.

In this respect again, we see history repeating itself.

This was the exact scenario with the foreshore and seabed.

Maori were quite comfortable to allow continued public use of their customary rivers (and sea), but as soon as there was a suggestion those rights would be privatised, they were forced to defend their customary rights, and the Government may be forced to legislatively extinguish those rights.

But there are already many examples of rivers (and foreshore and seabed) being subject to private individual title, without great public concern.

If the Crown chose to extinguish Maori customary title without also extinguishing private titles to rivers, it would again be legislatively possible but clearly discriminatory.

Corporate ownership is likely to demand a higher level of control over the water asset and that is likely to restrict public rights, as well as Maori rights.

The fact Maori are putting their oar in the water here and saying taihoa is essentially protecting that common interest in the water for us all.

• Dr Strack is a lecturer in land tenure at the School of Surveying, University of Otago

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

Release of Hatchery trout?

Hi Ross,

I’ve been reading with interest about the proposal by DOC to release hatchery fish into the Tongariro in an attempt to re-establish an early winter run. It seems to me that the proposal may be based on economic concerns relating to the Turangi community rather than sound science. There must be an huge amount of pressure locally to see the Tongariro fishery return to its former glory as the decline in fishermen visiting the region must be having a severe impact on business sustainability. Obviously you are in a position to gauge the effect of reduced visitor numbers on your business and comment objectively.

The reasons for the decline in the early winter runs on the Tongariro are not fully understood and surely it would be much more sensible to let the fishery continue to evolve and try and find out the reasons for the changes in spawning behaviour rather than simply start stocking. I’m sure that faced with the option of stocking or short term closed seasons on the river most anglers would opt for restricted access.

The proposition made by Dr Michel Dedual in a recent Fish & Game magazine that brown trout predation is a factor in the decline in early run fish numbers is not without precedent. I’ve attached an article from Fisheries Management and Ecology, 2001, 8, 189 – 205 entitled “An assessment of the potential for the application of two simple models to Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, stock management in chalk rivers” which highlights a similar phenomenon in relation to salmon parr in the UK River Frome.

I’ve spoken to one of the authors of this paper, Dr Mike Ladle, at length about what is happening in the Tongariro and he compared it to what is happening in the River Frome.  His comments were “There has been a national decline in UK stocks over the past twenty years or so and in the Frome it seems to me that there has been a simultaneous increase in the numbers of sea trout (= brown trout). The trout spawn a bit sooner (one month to six weeks) before the salmon and for sure they will prey on the young fish. Something may have tipped the balance in favour of the trout and, like many biological phenomena, it could be tricky to reverse the process.  I’m now retired and no longer involved in this business but I doubt that the scientists involved in studying the Tongariro fishery will find the answers quickly (as they are probably complex). In short, I think that salmonids – being short lived, quick growing, predatory and spawning in similar places – are subject to strong interactions and may well respond over quite short periods of time by shifts in timing or distribution.” What we are witnessing in the Tongariro fishery is evolution in action and trying to influence this without knowing the root causes for the changes is misguided.

What is now evident is that there is now a significant population of large brown trout in the lower reaches of the Tongariro. Surely this is something to celebrate and get fishermen to come back to the Tongariro to try their luck. The problem is that very few  people are aware of the change in trout population dynamics. Someone has to communicate the change and make fishing for trophy browns in the Lower Tongariro over summer a “bucket list” item for fly fishermen. Similarly there needs to be a concerted effort to communicate with the angling public when the bulk of the Tongariro rainbows now run up to spawn. If this is between August and November then so be it. Adapt to the changes in trout behaviour and move on. Do not try and change the natural balance by introducing hatchery fish in an attempt to re-instate an early run which, for whatever reason, nature has conspired against.

 In many ways the situation that has developed has a precedent in what happened in the Ngongataha stream in the  last century. Browns were largely eradicated because they were considered an inferior fish and were deemed to be feeding on rainbow trout fingerlings. The brown trout were driven down to the verge of extinction but now numbers have recovered and anglers flock to the Ngongataha specifically to target trophy specimens. Let us learn from the past and cut our cloth accordingly.

The changes in the Tongariro fishery over the past 15 years have been dramatic and fascinating. Finding the answer to the riddle is going to be difficult but that is where the scientific effort should be expended rather than in short term stocking which will further confuse analysis. If the decision is made to stock then we may never find out what caused the shifts in timing or distribution of runs in the Tongariro and be less able to mitigate any future changes. Act now in haste and repent at leisure.

 DOC needs to enlist the support of it’s core constituency, anglers, to help find out what is going on in the Tongariro rather than to disenfranchise them. I’m sure most thinking anglers would be pleased to do whatever is necessary to gain the data which would help DOC make meaningful management decisions.

Tight lines and best wishes,

Alan Bulmer   <*\\\<<

(This letter raises some very important issues for Tongariro anglers – TRM would like to see more anglers’ views on this issue and invite your emails on whether you support this proposal to release hatchery bred trout in your “wild” fishery?  Please advise if you prefer anonymity.)

Fish Navigation Mystery Solved As Trout Study Finds

Magnetic Cells That Point The Way

New research shows that magnetic cells help trout navigate.

After spending 3 years at sea and traveling up to 300 kilometers away from home, a rainbow trout can swim straight back to its original hatching ground, following freshwater streams inland and rarely heading in the wrong direction. This remarkable feat of navigation likely relies on many senses; the fish have superb eyesight and smell. But the trout also seem to rely on Earth’s magnetic fields, which point them in the right direction. Now, for the first time in any animal, scientists have isolated magnetic cells in the fish that respond to these fields. The advance may help researchers get to the root of magnetic sensing in a variety of creatures, including birds.

“We think this will really be a game changer,” says Michael Winklhofer, an earth scientist at Ludwig Maximilians University Munich in Germany who led the new study. “To study magnetic sensory cells, you have to be able to get hold of them first, and that’s what we’ve finally developed a way to do.”

Previous research has shown that many species of fish, as well as migratory birds, have the ability to detect differences in magnetic field strengths, which vary around the globe. Scientists think that the key to this ability is magnetite, the most magnetic of all minerals, which they’ve found embedded in bird and fish tissues. They’ve even narrowed down which tissues in these animals could contain magnetite by using dyes that bind to the mineral. But they’ve never been able to isolate individual cells that contain magnetite, and some of the staining methods have led to false positives and controversy in the field.

The challenge in isolating magnetic cells is that they are few and far between—if they were clustered together they would interfere with each other’s magnetism. “If you have a tissue containing these cells, it’s likely that only one out of ten thousand cells is magnetic,” says Winklhofer. “That makes it very hard to do any research.”

To isolate magnetic cells from their non-magnetic neighbors, Winklhofer and his collaborators placed a suspension of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cells under a microscope that had a magnet rotating around the stage that the sample sat on. Any cells containing magnetic particles should slowly rotate along with the magnet, they thought. They tested the method in tissue isolated from the fish’s noses, which contain magnetite. In each trout’s olfactory tissue, they found between one and four cells that rotated in turn with the rotating magnetic field. The team transferred the rotating cells to individual glass slides to study them further under the microscope.

In each isolated cell, the magnetite particles were next to the cell membranes, the scientists report online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. And surprisingly, the magnetism in each cell was tens to hundreds of times stronger than researchers had hypothesized, says Winklhofer. This suggests that the fish may be able to detect not only the direction of North based on magnetism, but small differences in magnetic field strength that can give them more detailed information about their precise latitude and longitude.

“This result is really a step beyond anything we’ve done before,” says ecologist Michael Walker of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, who led many of the initial experiments that homed in on trout’s noses as the tissue-containing magnetic particles. “The idea that they came up with here is just great and it worked like a charm.”

“What I think needs to be done now is that we need to demonstrate that these cells are actually sensory cells,” he adds. Although the cells contain magnetic particles, Walker notes, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they pass magnetic information along to the fish’s brain.

Winklhofer hopes to next apply the technique to various tissues from pigeons to determine where birds’ magnetic sensing cells are located.

Original article:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/07/a-big-magnet-in-a-small-fish.html?rss=1

 

Experts Move to Stop Rogue Tongariro Visitors

Efforts by local tourism operators to keep visitors undertaking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing safe are being undermined by a small number of individuals who ignore expert advice and potentially put their lives at risk.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing Transport and Guide concessionaires group (TACTAG) is working together extremely well to improve the safety of people doing the Crossing, which is internationally renowned as one of New Zealand’s top tramping experiences, says Chairman Stewart Barclay.

“We are very pleased with the contribution the TACTAG is making to alpine safety. However, some visitors are not heeding the advice of our members and other experts and are attempting the Crossing when the weather is unsuitable and without appropriate clothing and equipment.

“The Crossing can be an extreme environment in wintertimewith snow and ice and rapidly changing weather conditions.”

Police Ruapehu Area Commander Inspector Steve Mastrovich says a group of about 10 international visitors was recently advised by i-SITE staff in both Taupo and Turangi that they weren’t equipped or experienced enough to do the Crossing but carried on anyway. They drove to the track by private vehicle where they ignored further warnings by two TACTAG members not to proceed.

“They became lost and were very lucky to be rescued without mishap. These visitors need to understand that Search & Rescue isn’t a back-up to poor decision making, and they need to listen to the advice of the people who have local knowledge.”

Tongariro Alpine Crossing is recognised as one of the best day walks in the world and a lot of work has been done by the TACTAG since its formation in 2007 to strengthen protocols that guide operators on weather conditions and the minimum equipment for trampers.

At TACTAG’s latest meeting, the Department of Conservation said that in future it would require operators holding concessions to provide guiding and transport services for the Crossing to be TACTAG members and abide by its protocols.

The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) has supported the TACTAG since its inception in 2007.

TIA is working with the Police to develop a process for tourism operators, i-SITE and DOC staff and other relevant organisations to alert the police if they think individuals are planning to venture into the outdoors when they have been advised it is dangerous to do so.

Safety Information
The AdventureSmart website at www.adventuresmart.org.nz provides good quality safety information to New Zealanders and international visitors on a wide range of recreational pursuits. Duncan Ferner of the NZ Search & Rescue Secretariat says, “AdventureSmart has good advice for everyone, regardless of ability or experience.”

The Outdoor Safety Code outlines simple rules to help Kiwis and visitors enjoy the outdoors safely:

· Plan your trip
· Tell someone
· Be aware of the weather
· Know your limits
· Take sufficient supplies

RMA rejig a disaster for the environment

Fish & Game NZ says suggested changes to the RMA would be an absolute disaster for the environment.

“The technical advisory group (TAG) seems to have gone way beyond its terms of reference, and indeed it smacks of political opportunism to fit a perceived Government ‘economic growth’ agenda,” says Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“This is being done under the guise of addressing ‘management of natural hazards’, urban and infrastructure development’, but these are already specified as a function of regional councils in some detail in sections 30 and 31 of the RMA.”

Mr Johnson says removing the clause 7(h) – which specifically references ‘protection of the habitat of trout and salmon’ – would lead to further water quality decline.

“Given the critical status of the water quality in our lakes and rivers, you have to ask: ‘Why would the Government want to remove one of the few statutory protection measures for freshwater ecosystems? You don’t have to be a political scientist to come up with the most probable answer.

“This would remove what water resource developers see as a roadblock to environmentally unsustainable development, enabling further and faster decline of freshwater quality. Make no mistake – any attempt to lessen the protection of trout and salmon habitat in the RMA is full-frontal attack on the environment.”

Because trout and salmon have the highest water quality requirements, section 7(h) protects all in-stream values of our freshwater resource – introduced and indigenous species alike. It has also given Fish & Game NZ a mandate for its advocacy around the protection of freshwater quality and quantity.

Lincoln University’s research reveals that the biggest environmental concern amongst New Zealanders is the country’s failing water quality. Mr Johnson says the Government should be doing something to address that level of worry, not the opposite.

“Putting economic benefits into sections 6 or 7 would tip the playing field away from the public interest when it comes to fresh water.

“The proposed changes to the RMA would strip away the very few statutory references we have to give some struggling integrity to the 100% Pure, clean green New Zealand brand.

“The TAG report also recommends axing the current s7(c) that requires the maintenance and enhancement of amenity values – this clause is central to the protection of outdoor recreation under the RMA.”

For further information contact Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson 021397897.

CONTACT:

Fish & Game NZ
Ph: +64(021)994768
Email: [email protected] engage on river negotiations

 

Fish & Game councilor fined $32,000

Aaron Leaman

Last updated 05:00 05/07/2012

A Fish & Game councilor whose company was fined almost $32,000 for dirty dairying said it was important he “man up” and admit his failings.

Guy Ralph, a director and shareholder in Wyebrook Farms Ltd, said the company had spent nearly $50,000 upgrading effluent systems on their Candy Rd farm, west of Te Awamutu.

The farming company was last week fined $31,875 and ordered to pay $491 costs after pleading guilty to two Resource Management Act charges.

The charges related to two incidents at the Wyebrook farm last year in which dairy effluent was illegally discharged.

Mr Ralph said since the RMA breaches the farm’s management structure had been changed with him managing the farm in a “hands on role”.

After a helicopter monitoring flyover in August, regional council staff visited the farm and found effluent had overflowed from a holding pond into a nearby stream.

They also found evidence that a large pile of effluent scrapings had been removed from a bunker and put on a nearby paddock, causing further discharges into the environment.

Mr Ralph said the company acknowledged a breach was made “and rather than contest anything, decided to be upfront with the [Waikato Regional Council] and fix the problem immediately.”

Repairs, upgrades and improvements made to the farm’s effluent system had cost almost $50,000.

Mr Ralph, who was elected to the Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Council in 2009, said “all custodians of the land” should be committed to best farming practice. “We do not wish to justify or defend our breaches but rather man up and admit our failings.

“Do not underestimate distress that our system and management failings have caused us. However, we are confident that from the experience we now have an even better environment.

“As a landowner, conservationist, Fish & Game councillor and keen hunter I am very focused on habitat.”

Mr Ralph said the $31,875 fine was appropriate and endorsed Judge Melanie Harland’s sentencing remarks that effluent management should be a matter of top priority on farms.

“We actually were given five per cent [sentencing discount] for good character and 10 per cent for remorse and a further 25 per cent for pleading guilty immediately.

“We are honest people who accept that our company made a mistake, are prepared to pay a sizeable fine, [and] let all farmers know that compliance is essential and not optional.”

 

Wanganui District Council,  July 4, 2012,

The Crown and Whanganui Iwi have been progressing Treaty settlement negotiations in relation to the Whanganui River and have begun detailed engagement with Horizons Regional Council, Wanganui District Council, Ruapehu District Council and Stratford District Council

In October 2011 a Record of Understanding was signed by Whanganui Iwi and the Crown that set out a framework for negotiations to settle the grievances of Whanganui Iwi in relation to the River. This framework focuses on the legal recognition of the River as Te Awa Tupua – an indivisible whole from the mountains to the sea – and the development of a long term strategy for the whole of the River through a collaborative process involving the iwi, the Crown, local government and the wider catchment community.

The Chair of Horizons Regional Council Bruce Gordon said he was pleased that input from local councils was being sought in the process as the relationship between local government and iwi will be critical to the long-term success of the River arrangements.

“We look forward to working with Whanganui Iwi and the Crown to settle grievances related to the River. The Whanganui River is an iconic part of our Region’s landscape and holds significance for many. It’s important we have a voice and ensure a workable outcome is reached for both the iwi and the wider community,” said Mr Gordon.

Mayor Annette Main agreed.

“As representatives of our respective communities we can provide context, knowledge and value to the process. We also have a combined role in communicating with our wider communities,” Mayor Main said.

“The settlement provides us all with an exciting opportunity to work together to look after what is arguably one of this country’s greatest natural assets and a taonga of importance to us all.”

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Mayor Sue Morris added that the Whanganui River has had a central role in the region’s past and will play a significant part in its future.

“RDC sees Whanganui Iwi playing an important role in protecting the River’s long term environmental and cultural well being. The settlement will also enhance sustainable development opportunities for the region,” she said.

“At the end of the day local government will be a key player in making this settlement work and it is important for them to have constructive input into our negotiations with Whanganui Iwi,” said the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Christopher Finlayson.

“We are all committed to ensuring that the Whanganui River is in good health and its mana appropriately recognised. This is about mending a broken relationship, ensuring that all parties are able to better fulfil their responsibilities in respect of the River and building a better future for the region.”

The riverbed at Pouakani near Mangakino has been in Crown ownership since 1887

Wed, 27 Jun 2012

By Patrick Gower

A Supreme Court ruling has opened the way for a group of Maori to lay claim to some of the riverbed of the Waikato River, which the Government admits could set a legal precedent.

The riverbed at Pouakani near Mangakino has been in Crown ownership since 1887, but the court has now declared that null and void.

The Crown has owned the riverbed at Pouakani for 125 years.

“The Crown has always argued it was Government land under a century old coal-mining law,” says lawyer David Williams.

But today, the Supreme Court ruled that was wrong.

“That could be the ultimate end. But as I say there’s a long way to go in this case, it’s a preliminary point,” says Attorney-General Chris Finlayson.

The Maori fight was led by John Paki – but he died before today’s success.

The ruling is based on a legal argument as to whether the river area is “navigable” – or usable for shipping. The court decided it wasn’t, and with that outright Crown ownership was gone.

And that’s led to plenty of political argument over the ramifications.

“It means the river is no longer an uninterrupted channel,” says New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. “It’s a serious interruption here. It comes from the highest court in the country and it means a problem.”

This ruling about ownership of the riverbed comes just as the debate about Maori ownership of water rages on around the asset sales issue, so no wonder the Government is stressing they are two different matters.

It’s believed this is the first time this legal argument has been used, and given its success, it may not be the last.

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Ruling-opens-way-for-Maori-riverbed-claim/tabid/1607/articleID/259337/Default.aspx#ixzz1zPzPZoD5

2012 Taupo Fishery licence fees (1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013)

Licences for the Taupo District are available in the following categories (all GST-inclusive):

Kids Fishing Days programme

Public Fishing Days at the Trout Centre are:

July 11 – Wednesday,

October 3 – Wednesday

October 21 – Sunday Labour Weekend.

2013

January 9 – Wednesday

January 23 – Wednesday

Bookings Essential.

A warm fuzzies story?

There are too many stories of complaints about everything affecting fly fishing – so here is a warm fuzzies story from Tokaanu;

Local school junior student, Hani Prentice,  wrote to the NZTA (New Zeland Transport Authority) outlining the need for a warning sign to be placed on SH41 near the Tokaanu Stream bridge on State Highway 41 to alert motorists to the presence of pukeko in the area.  She said “I would like to see our native birds safe from anyone speeding or not aware that the home of the pukeko is around the Tokaanu swamp area and Tokaanu Stream bridge just before the turnoff to Waihi”.

After careful consideration NZTA agreed to signage in the area and commended Hani for her initiative.  In response Alan Burkett of NZTA thanked Hani for her letter and said that the NZTA appreciated her concerns around the well being of pukeko in the area and understands her distress.  The sign on left was erected last week.  What a good response…

Of course Tongariro River Motel, not to be outdone, has its own pet Pukeko called Pippi – see image on right.

Discussion Paper for the NZFFA AGM 2012

A Changing Era

by Tony Orman

Much of our way of life since European settlement has been influenced by a history of pastoral farming by New Zealand families and an economy based on agriculture.

However vast underlying changes of significance have happened.

New Zealand’s sheep numbers were once 80 million sheep. Today they have fallen to 31 million. On the other hand dairy cows have increased greatly by 10 percent in the last 5 years to 6.2 million.             That figure is predicted to increase further given world demand and high dairy pay outs encouraging increased investment.

Such is the increase that dairying is now being set up in areas that normally because of low rainfall were not suited to natural dairying. So to compensate for the lack of rainfall, dairy farmers install irrigation. Water may come from aquifers or rivers. It really matters not which.             Aquifer water is part of the total river system. Drain that and the above surface water (ie rivers) is lessened.

The campaign against dairying by Fish and Game, while at times unnecessarily confrontational, has highlighted the effects on rivers of nutrients, excrement and urine not just in rivers but the aquifer.

I mentioned earlier of the traditional Kiwi family farm. Those families had strong ties to the land and a sense of stewardship and usually a feel for the environment. However in recent years, traditional family owned farms have decreased in number with farming corporates emerging. That trend is continuing.

The corporate dairy farms often amalgamate family farms and are big in size – thousands of cows. The negative factor is that corporate farming does not have the sense of stewardship or empathy with the environment that the Kiwi family farmer did. The primary and overriding focus of corporate operations is with lowering costs, maximising profits and dividends to shareholders.            Money counts and corporates are adept at political lobbying and have funds to legally contest matters like water rights, environment court proceedings etc., that the public don’t have.

Another aspect as evidenced by the Crafar farms controversy is foreign ownership. The trend is not just in dairying. Our wine industry is also predominantly foreign owned. On a volume basis about 70% of the wine industry is foreign owned.

In the sheep industry, it is mainly iconic South Island high country that has caught the eye of foreigners. Shania Twain received media attention, and before her it was Tommy Suharto. There are others who have managed to keep a lower profile. In Marlborough recently a high country station has been bought by the Tiong family of Malaysia. The Tiong family has not a good track record. It has exploited rain forests in the Amazon and Sarawak and among its exploitation areas is into fish farming. For example, “New Zealand King Salmon is New Zealand’s largest salmon producer and marketer and has been wholly owned by interests of the Tiong Family from Malaysia.”

Would the Tiong family be into trout farming?

The reason why foreign ownership is going to increase, unless legislation changes, is very simple. Foreigners have capital and Kiwis don’t. The only way Kiwis can buy farms is by borrowing. And the banks are not lending the way they were. By contrast, there are lots of foreigners who have equity capital to invest.

In a world eager for resources, NZ’s dairy, cropping and forestry land is going to look attractive. Currently the focus is on Chinese investors, but a lot of the big money is in the Middle East. European pension funds may also be interested in investing.

So do we need this money or do we not? Who is it that really benefits?

High land prices are good for sellers but are a barrier to young kiwis seeking farm ownership. And there are always questions with foreign owned businesses as to whether they are paying their share of taxes, or whether the products are being exported at prices that shift the taxable profits to another country.

If we look to other countries for guidance we will see a range of policies. In the United States, non residents are heavily constrained from land purchases. Many other countries are either very strict or ban foreign buyups. Perhaps in New Zealand we need a starting point that says New Zealand land is for New Zealanders. Foreign investment in rural land would only be allowed where it could be demonstrated that it would lead to economic infrastructure developments that Kiwis could not undertake. Leave it another ten years, and there may be no decisions to make. It may be too late.

What of it from a trout fishing angle?

Foreigners come from a different culture to New Zealand’s egalitarian one. Often and usually the best trout rivers are private preserves and access is charged for. Foreigners often do not understand or appreciate the egalitarian access ethos of NZ society. And if they’re into moneymaking, they don’t want it.

Already that egalitarian ethos is under siege. Pheasant preserves and exclusive capture of access are two consequences. It shows the side effects and impacts of political and economic policies. The demise of the Kiwi farm and the rise of corporatism, foreign ownership and other trends need vigilance.

Politics in trout fishing is nothing more than “cause and effect.,” as our good friend the late John B Henderson said as far back as 1969.

One area which has been ignored in the focus on “dirty dairying” is forestry. With the political free market approach under Kyoto and the Emissions Trading Scheme, forestry planting are booming. New forestry plantings total 7,100 hectares, up from 2,900 ha in 2010. That is a massive increase stimulated by investment into carbon trading.

Forestry may be more detrimental to rivers, trout and the environment than dairying. Pine forests induce acidic trends not conducive to aquatic invertebrate numbers and use vast quantities of water compared to native vegetation.

Results – less trout food – less trout – less water.

New Zealand commenced planting plantation forests in the 1930′s. It now has around 1.9 million hectares of exotic plantations. These plantations are currently producing around 20 million cubic metres annually, and this volume is expected to double to 40 million cubic metres over the next 20 years. Think of that, double the production in the next two decades.

That means hillsides and catchments clear felled with little or no environmental controls. Runoff that will take forest debris and silt will be doubled from what it is today.

There has been little concern shown about forestry. Instead of clear felling surely logging can take place in strips along contours, with the last strips harvested 12 months later? Buffer zones should exist on all streams.

Again foreign ownership predominates – 75% of New Zealand’s production forests are owned by foreign interests. One website says “further foreign ownership is welcomed.”

The point is cash-rich foreign buyers coming in can usually outbid New Zealanders for land – which was proven with the Crafar farms.

Alarmingly the last several governments – Bolger, Shipley, Clark, Key led ones – have welcomed foreign ownership and arguably relaxed the laws.

And forestry companies are corporates, single focused on maximum profits and with little feeling for environmental aspects.

In concluding I emphasise – the NZ public and in particular trout fishing public cannot be complacent. Political decisions and policies cannot be ignored. They must be closely scrutinised for as earlier said “politics (in our sport) is nothing more than cause and effect.”

Erected fish trap attracts trout

Sat, 9 Jun 2012

100 Years Ago

Members of the Acclimatisation Society stripping and catching trout in the Water of Leith. – Otago Witness, 19.6.1912.

A fish trap erected a few weeks ago in the Leith Steam, near the University, by the Acclimatisation Society for stripping purposes was the object of unusual interest yesterday.

Members of the society have been patiently waiting for a rise in the stream for some days, and when the fresh came down on Saturday it was with such suddenness and with such an accumulation of debris that difficulty was experienced in preventing the trap from being damaged.

However, safety was assured, and yesterday the fish were running unusually well, a great number becoming victims of the obstacle.

Many were of large size, and the desperate attempts made by these to clear the second barrier attracted a large crowd of people, at times numbering several hundreds, who watched with the greatest interest the efforts of the fish to continue upstream.

Very few succeeded in accomplishing the leap, and today the inhabitants of the pool should be very many. Stripping operations will be commenced this morning under the supervision of Mr Deans (the manager).

(note the date!)

Dirty dairying laid bare

by MARTY SHARPE

Last updated 05:00 05/06/2012

41

BEN CURRAN/Fairfax NZ

COW CRIMES: Nearly 200 firms or individuals in the dairy industry have been prosecuted since July 2008.

The unlawful discharging of dairy cow effluent into waterways or on to land has taken its toll on the environment, on farmers and on regional councils.

Even the president of Federated Farmers, Bruce Wills, admits new figures obtained by The Dominion Post make for bad reading. But he says the worst is behind us.

The number of prosecutions and abatement and infringement notices handed out has at least dropped, and Mr Wills vows the industry will lift its game.

“My sincere hope is that if you look at these numbers in another two to three years they will be significantly down.

“We absolutely acknowledge the effect dairying is having on the environment and there are some areas that have not been managed as well as they could have. We need to front-foot this issue and we need to lift our game.”

Figures obtained from the 17 regional councils and unitary authorities reveal that since July 1, 2008, there have been 151 prosecutions involving more than 300 charges against 198 companies or individuals for unlawful discharges of dairy effluent affecting land or water.

Three entities were prosecuted twice: the Crafars’ company Hillside Ltd, Awarua Farms Ltd and Philip Woolley.

Every council provided details of the parties prosecuted and their sentences, except Otago Regional Council, which refused to supply the information as it could not be sure it was “unequivocally accurate”.

Environment Court-imposed fines collected from offending parties totalled at least $3,260,825.

A further 13 individuals have received community work sentences totalling 1650 hours. Two received sentences of community detention of three and six months.

For lesser offences involving dairy effluent discharges, councils have issued 1698 abatement notices and 1564 infringement notices.

Abatement notices require someone to stop any activity that contravenes the Resource Management Act, a resource consent or a council plan. Infringement notices impose an instant fine of $300 to $1000.

Prosecutions are taken only in the most serious cases, after councils have weighed various factors, including the actual and potential effects of the discharge, whether it was deliberate, the attitude of the offender, profits made from the offending and the efforts made to clean up or remedy after the discharge.

Usually 90 per cent of any fine imposed will go to the prosecuting council.

The highest fine was $120,000 handed down to Potae and van der Poel Ltd on eight charges of discharging effluent to land and water on three separate farms in 2010. The company was prosecuted by West Coast Regional Council.

Owner Mary-Ann Potae said the fine had a profound impact on her and her partner, Arno van der Poel.

“It was one of the defining moments in our life. Certainly not something we would want to repeat. Our reputations were very important to us and it’s been damaged. You can’t regain that,” Ms Potae said.

Ms Potae said the pair had been held responsible for the activities of sharemilkers who received sentences of community work.

The number of convictions fell from 51 in 2008-09 to 18 in the year to date. Abatement notices and infringement notices have also decreased, from 537 to 329 and 500 to 330.

Mr Wills admitted the numbers were high and said “the whole dairy effluent environmental footprint issue has been under far more scrutiny over the past few years than any time in our history”.

He put the high offending rate down to councils taking a more vigilant approach in recent years and the “explosion in dairy farming” that has seen dairy cow numbers balloon from 3.4million to 6.1million in the past 20 years.

Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson said water quality in lowland areas continued to decline and “after all these years of the issues around dairying and the environment the numbers are still very disappointing”.

Mr Johnson said the agriculture sector needed to publicly commit to “mandatory, environmentally sustainable, best on-farm practice” with regular published audits.

It should also be dealing with its own poor performers rather than leaving it to ratepayer-funded regional councils.

See the full list of dairy effluent convictions 2008-2012 here.

The Worst Offenders:

The 10 highest individual fines in New Zealand for unlawful dairy effluent discharges.

$120,000 – Potae and van der Poel Ltd on eight charges of unlawful effluent discharges and breaching abatement notices on three farms. Sentenced April 2010, West Coast Regional Council.

$110,000 – Talisker Farms Co Ltd on five charges of unlawful discharge of dairy shed effluent. Sentenced December 2010, Environment Southland.

$94,000 – Crichton Dairy Farms Ltd on three charges of discharging effluent on to land, causing ponding, and discharging dairy effluent on to land which may have entered water. Sentenced September 2010, Otago Regional Council.

$65,000 – Hillside Ltd on four charges of discharging effluent to land or water. Sentenced February 2010, Waikato Regional Council.

$62,000 – (reuced from $70,000 on appeal) Terence Yates on three charges of discharging effluent to land or water. Sentenced February 2010, Taranaki Regional Council.

$60,000 – Murray Andrews on two charges of discharging effluent and silage leachate to land and water. Sentenced July 2009, Taranaki Regional Council.

$60,000 – Trevor Jane on four charges of discharging effluent to land and water. Sentenced August 2008, Taranaki Regional Council.

$60,000 – Kevin Belling on three charges of discharging dairy effluent and one of putting dead stock in water.

(Rhonda Belling fined $6000 on same charges.) Sentenced June 2011, Environment Southland.

$54,000 – Mervyn Pinny on 13 charges of discharging effluent to water and land and breaching an abatement notice. Sentenced May 2011, Northland Regional Council.

$52,000 – Summit Dairying Ltd on three charges of discharging effluent to land. Sentenced September 2010, Otago Regional Council.

Government wants to cash in on conservation

by LOIS CAIRNS

Last updated 14:36 02/06/2012

(Note:  DoC are the managers of the Taupo Fishery)

The Government wants to make more money from its conservation estate and is eying opportunities for increased revenue gathering.

A Statement of Intent setting out the direction for the Department of Conservation (DOC) over the next five years says New Zealand is facing ongoing biodiversity losses at the same time as overall public spending is coming under growing pressure, so new ways of funding conservation must be found.

”The Department must fundamentally change its approach to continue the momentum for conservation. This means not just finding new sources of revenue . . .but changing the mindset and behaviours of the organisation as a whole,” the statement said.

In the 2010/11 financial year DOC earned $13m through concessions and another $2.5m from sponsorship.

Its conservation campsites generated $3.3m in revenue while its backcountry huts and visitor centre networks generated another $3.9m.

Just over $4.2m was added to the department’s coffers as a result of fees charged on the Great Walks.

It wants those figures to increase and is eying opportunities to make more money.

The Ministry of Economic Development has already identified the potential to make more money out of the country’s national parks.

In a briefing paper prepared late last year for the Tourism Minister it mooted the idea of charging international visitors an entrance fee.

It said introducing a ”direct pricing” policy was a potential way to capture greater revenue returns from international visitors than was being achieved.

In its Statement of Intent DOC said its business performance showed ”unrealised opportunities”.

It said many businesses were looking for ways to demonstrate commitment to, and engagement with, conservation and there was potentially value in what the Department could offer them as business partners.

The department already had significant conservation partnerships with five large corporations – Mitre 10, BNZ, Rio Tinto, Solid Energy, and Genesis – but wanted to deepen the number, quality and depth of those partnerships over the next five years.

”DOC collaborating with others in conservation partnerships makes sense to business because this can significantly improve business worth, while helping conserve the nation’s natural and cultural heritage,” the statement said.

”In this world it is not enough to simply deliver a product or service. Business needs to show it is contributing to sustaining a healthy environment and supporting a vibrant society.”

But some environmentalists are worried by DOC’s growing dependence on big business for its income and say chronic underfunding of the department is undermining its ability to do its job.

Forest & Bird conservation advocate Nicola Toki said the problem was the Government did not put a high enough value on its conservation estate and was constantly penny-pinching from DOC.

As a result DOC was increasingly relying on third parties for its funding and that was opening it up to potential conflicts of interest.

”The government is throwing peanuts at DOC,” Toki said. ”It is very short-sighted and it will backfire on us.”

Green Party conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage said the pro-business objectives outlined in the Statement of Intent pushed DOC in a risky direction.

”Using the level of concessions revenue as a key performance indicator will drive staff and decision making to approve more tourism, mining, grazing and other commercial activities. This risks fragmenting habitats, destroying wildness and commercialising our protected lands,” Sage said.

She said DOC’s establishment 25 years ago was a reaction to the inherent problems of schizophrenic, multiple-use agencies such as the Forest Service.

It had an environmental forestry section which protected and controlled pests in steep land forests for soil conservation, while another section napalmed rimu forest to convert it to pine plantations.

The pro-business objectives in the Statement of Intent risked making DoC similarly schizophrenic.

”They are at odds with the department’s statutory responsibilities and … proud history …of protecting our indigenous plants and wildlife and natural landscapes and fostering non commercial recreation,” Sage said.

They will push the department in a risky direction,” Sage said.

DoC Media release

Date: 30^th of May 2012

Vandals leave lake at risk

The Department of Conservation recently had to spend $5000 fixing deliberate damage to the weed cordon at Lake Otamangakau boat ramp.

Two of the mooring ropes had been cut, and another anchoring a navigation buoy had also been slashed, resulting in the $600 navigation buoy being lost or stolen.

This threatened the safety of boaties on the lake after dark, as well as reducing the effectiveness of the weed cordon in stopping the spread of freshwater weeds such as Egeria and Hornwort. The damage also left the structure vulnerable to recent high winds in the region.

The vandalism was discovered when divers recently surveyed the area within the new weed cordon.

The Department was pleased to find no sign of any new freshwater weed species in the lake within or immediately beyond the cordon. David Cade, Freshwater Threats ranger for the Department of Conservation says, “This unfortunate act of vandalism not only threatens Lake Otamangakau and an important part of the Taupō fishery, but is also a complete waste of resources that would have been better spent on other conservation or fisheries management projects”.

The weed cordon was erected in September 2011 by a multi-agency effort to stop the damaging affects freshwater weeds can have on the Taupō fishery, recreational activities and hydro-electricity infrastructure.

Weed cordons and the Check Clean Dry actions are essential to protect our freshwater resources from the spread of freshwater pests that could seriously damage water quality and recreational opportunities, and impose large costs on industry.

 

NZ Herald 31 May 2012

Wild, scenic rivers need protection – watchdog

New Zealand’s wildest and most scenic rivers need greater protection from developments such as hydroelectric dams, a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says.

Commissioner Jan Wright’s report said the scenic Mohikinui River, recently spared from a hydroelectricity project, was stillvulnerable to harmful development because it flowed through loosely protected Crown land.  Many other rivers were similarly unprotected.

Measures to protect precious free flowing rivers had dried up because the process was long and costly…..

The benefits of hydroelectricity could be measured in dollars, through the Emissions Trading Scheme, but a specific price could not be placed on wild rivers.
…

“This is not to say it does not have a economic value – it is our environment that draws tourists to New Zealand and leads many of us to holiday in our own country.”

Water conservation orders could be made to prevent the taking of freshwater or modification of a river.

Dr. Wright recommended that the Ministry of the Environment investigate which rivers would be good candidates for protection.  She said many wild rivers flowed through land over which the Department of Conservation had “Stewardship”.

 

One Plan outcome to set national precedent

x Fish & Game – Published on Monday, May 28, 2012

Declining water quality and historically poor management of this most precious natural resource in New Zealand has become one of the defining environmental issues of our time.

Intensification of land use is the greatest threat to water quality and has been the least likely to be addressed by regional councils. The National Policy Statement (NPS) on freshwater now requires all councils to set and implement water quality limits and find ways to address all forms of water contamination.

Appeals against the substantially weakened Horizons Regional Council’s “One Plan” have been before the Environment Court in Palmerston North, with the key issues around water quality and environmental limits in relation to agriculture heard last week.

Evidence from Fish & Game NZ, the lead party seeking to have pastoral agriculture put on an environmentally sustainable footing, was heard on Monday and Tuesday (May 21, 22).

The proposed One Plan has the potential to bring with it a new era of resource management in New Zealand – the case will have significant ramifications nationally.

The Environment Court ruling will have implications nationally for how all local authorities throughout New Zealand will be expected to manage land and freshwater resources.

Fish & Game NZ believes the Environment Court ruling on the One Plan will have more immediate bearing on that region’s freshwater management than the Government’s much-lauded Land and Water Forum (LWF), which has yet to deliver actual improvements. Once the One Plan becomes law it has potential to ensure the uptake of environmentally sustainable, best on-farm practice, which will be a major step forward compared to the uncertainty of voluntary measures that are making limited headway towards improving water quality.

One Plan proposes a comprehensive new approach to limit pollution from dairy and other pastoral farming, and restrict other adverse impacts on water quality through regulatory framework limits on nitrogen, phosphorous and bacterial discharges, and will require that cattle are fenced out of the region’s water bodies behind a protected riparian buffer zone, and that stock crossing points are bridged or culverted.

Fish & Game appealed One Plan to reinstate the original strong provisions to restore water quality that had been weakened by the commissioners who heard the original plan submissions. The dairy industry and Federated Farmers appealed One Pan to further weaken the original environmental protection provisions.

 

Meridian pulls plug on Mokihinui project

ALAN WOOD

22/05/2012

A decision by Meridian Energy to exit a controversial Mokihinui hydro project on the West Coast has been welcomed by environmental groups and the Department of Conservation.

Meridian Energy announced this morning that it will not proceed with the project that had been planned for the West Coast of the South Island, citing high costs and risks surrounding a project that encroached on environmentally sensitive land.

The project has been formally withdrawn from the Environment Court process, the state-owned energy firm said.

The Department of Conservation and other groups had appealed against the decision granting resource consent for Meridian’s project on the Mokihinui River, located north of Westport.

The 85-metre-high dam would have created a 14-kilometre-long lake, and generated between 310 and 360 gigawatt hours of electricity each year.

The $300 million dam and power station was to have been built three kilometres upstream of Seddonville. At hearings DOC opposed the plan, arguing that the dam and surrounding infrastructure would have an impact on the river and wildlife.

The Green Party said Meridian Energy made the right decision.

“The campaign to save the Mokihinui has been running since 2007. Meridian’s proposal would have resulted in the inundation of conservation land destroying 300 hectares of irreplaceable river gorge habitat for kiwi, blue duck, kaka, falcons, giant land snails, native bats, and the long-finned eels that live along the Mokihinui,” Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said.

“New Zealanders love our wild rivers and want them protected. This is a great day for all New Zealanders.”

Given that potential for a dam was a major factor for its exclusion from Kahurangi National Park, the Government could now take this opportunity to include the Mokihinui River in the national park, he added.

The Department of Conservation said it welcomed and supported Meridian Energy’s decision regarding the proposed Mokihinui hydro development.

Director General Al Morrison said DOC has worked closely with Meridian on issues surrounding the project for some years, and now looked forward to continuing to develop its relationship with Meridian.

Forest & Bird also welcomed the announcement.

“This is a great victory for conservation, and a courageous decision by Meridian,” Forest & Bird Advocacy Manager Kevin Hackwell said.

“We are pleased that Meridian has made the right decision for a very special part of the West Coast, and for the future sustainability of the coast and New Zealand.”

Meridian chief executive Mark Binns said the decision was difficult and followed a full review of the hydro scheme and the risks and uncertainties the project faced prior to becoming a reality.

“The project had a strong business case and would have been beneficial to the West Coast, but it was challenging as the project footprint encroached on Department of Conservation stewardship land.

“Given the positive economics offered by the project and the benefits it would bring, Meridian progressed the project.

“However, our recent commercial review of the project determined it was not prudent to proceed further given the high costs and the risks of the process involved  which includes not only securing the resource consents but also land access under the Conservation Act,” Binns said.

“It was the difficulty associated with seeing a path through the land issue that was of most concern.”

The Mokihinui Hydro Project received resource consent in April 2010, following stakeholder engagement and public consultation.

The decision was appealed to the Environment Court by the Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, Whitewater NZ, and West Coast Environmental Network Trust.

Meridian would also have been required to work through a separate Conservation Act process because the project would have had an effect on public conservation land, Binns said.

“While the decision to withdraw from the Mokihinui Hydro Project is the right commercial decision for Meridian it is no doubt a very disappointing outcome for all those who supported the project, particularly on the West Coast,” he said.

It would be important for industry and stakeholders to work together constructively on how to rule projects in as New Zealand’s energy needs continue to grow over coming decades, he said.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright said she had had reservations about the project for some time but had not wanted to comment while the issue was in front of the Environment Court.

”However, there is still an ongoing tension between hydropower and wild and scenic rivers in that both are good for the environment but they are very hard to measure against each other,” Wright said.

– © Fairfax NZ News

Tears as river’s decline described

by EMMA GOODWIN

Last updated 12:20 19/05/2012

Emotions have run high at the Fonterra Pahiatua plant’s discharge consent hearing, with one submitter breaking down in tears as he told how he had seen the Mangatainoka River decline over his lifetime.

Fonterra wants to discharge 2250 cubic metres of condensate into the Mangatainoka River for the next 22 years.

It currently discharges into the Brechin Stream, which flows into the Mangatainoka, but is asking at a hearing in Palmerston North for permission to discharge directly into the river.

The water in the Brechin Stream, considered a valuable trout spawning area, is degraded with sewage fungus caused by the current discharge.

Fonterra said the discharge would have less effect on the environment if it had the larger mixing area of the river. Horizons Regional Council environmental scientist Logan Brown stated in his evidence to the hearing yesterday that the fungus prevented fish from laying eggs.

Pahiatua resident and submitter Ross Gillespie said he had watched trout numbers dwindle in the stream for many years. He remembered watching multitudes of juvenile fish swimming through the water when he was a child.

“You’re lucky to find any now,” said Mr Gillespie, before breaking down in tears. Corina Jordon, environmental officer with Wellington Fish and Game, said the Mangatainoka River was a significant and popular trout fishery that was affected by pollution and high water takes.

She said the river regularly breached nitrogen, phosphorus and dissolved oxygen limits, all of which affected aquatic life.

The river’s degraded state had been recognised by Horizons Regional Council, she said.

“The discharge into the Brechin Stream could also be impacting on the river.”

One of Ms Jordon’s concerns was that the heat of the discharge was having a major effect on trout numbers. Fonterra plans to reduce the discharge’s temperature from 50 to 35 degrees Celsius by putting it through a cooling tower first.

Fonterra’s director of New Zealand operations, Brent Taylor, speaking away from the hearing, said the company intended to reduce environmental impact by lowering the discharge temperature, and taking it out of the river completely between January and March.

“We are spending around $700,000 on a cooling tower and looking to irrigate during the summer months,” he said. It was not possible to irrigate to land continuously all year due to the weather.

Mr Taylor said Fonterra spent millions of dollars a year upgrading its systems to meet increasing standards for consents.

 

Letter to Editor – Waikato Times, 15 May 2012:

New Zealanders should oppose King Salmon and Sanford’s plans for fish-farming in the Marlborough Sounds. Sanford and other corporates have plundered sea-fish stocks, such as the shameful demise of kahawai.

I am fully opposed to Sanford’s trout-farming plans. I was amazed National party president John Goodfellow, as the major shareholder in Sanford, can glibly dismiss it as having no influence on Government policy.

I am not so naive having seen the skulduggery by private companies, politicians and corporates in the 1970s when trout farming was pushed by (no surprise) a National government.

In one case, a foreign-backed corporate (Fearn International) was allowed to buy Crown land for trout farming, an illegal use, near Lake Waikaremoana. With Sanford’s chief shareholder the National party president, no wonder Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley promotes trout farming.

Behind King Salmon is the Tiong family, of Malaysia, who own 51 per cent of King Salmon. The Tiong family, according to my Google search, have exploited rainforests. They are into forestry here. Late last year, the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office approved the sale and purchase of 1000 to 2000 hectares of forested land on the east coast to Tiong business. Now they are pushing fish-farming in a threatened crowded Marlborough Sounds.

Wake up, New Zealand. Behind the salmon- and trout-farm proposals are big fat cats who don’t give a toss about the environment, so vital to tourism and the public’s quality of life.

NORRIE DAY

Wairoa

Early warning – All entries received before May 31st will go in the draw to win a Java Inflatable Boat with 2HP Yamaha Outboard retailed at $1900

Great Lake Taupo Fishing Tournament

                       Kinloch Domain Off Mata Place in Kinloch
Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th July 2012

 

 

 Register online now!

The Kinloch Community Association is proud to bring you The Great Lake Taupo Fishing Tournament which is based out of the idyllic western bays village of Kinloch. The event has grown to be the largest fresh water tournament of its type in New Zealand with around 550 keen anglers battling it out on Lake Taupo over 3 days to decide the winners.

This year’s tournament is being run in the July school holidays, from Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th July 2012. Registration starts at 8.30am on the Thursday at the Kinloch Domain, Mata Place, Kinloch. All entries will receive a pack at registration on Thursday which will include a ‘Great Lake Taupo Fishing Tournament’ T- Shirt.

As per previous years there will be team prizes again this year. For any boat that has two or more entries entered under that boat name they will be automatically put into the team prize category as well.

Fishing starts at 12 noon on Thursday. Weigh ins each day will commence at 4pm until 6pm to be eligible for that days prizes. The main prize-giving will be on the Saturday night starting at 6pm with some prize giving on the nights of Thursday and Friday for that days fishing.

There will be plenty of action, daily spot prizes, food, licensed bar, live music, junior fishing competition and Bluelight TradeZone Kids Gone Fishin activities. The event will also be featured on TV3′s Gone Fishin with host Graeme Sinclair.

Food is available for purchasing on all nights including full sit down meals available on the Saturday night.

Alcohol and soft drinks are available for purchase on all three nights – NO BYO allowed in the marquee.

All entries received before May 31st will go in the draw to win a Java Inflatable Boat with 2HP Yamaha Outboard retailed at $1900 (drawn on Saturday night).

 

If you wish to send a hardcopy and pay by cheque, please download this entry form and post both form and cheque to :

Kinloch Community Association Inc PO Box 879 Taupo 3351

Ent

 

Artist taps steamy issue of Geothermal power in Taupo

As part of Taupo’s Erupt Festival, opening this week, artist Tim Barlow is erecting a temporary Public Fountain using geothermal power in Taupo’s CBD and Turangi. It will also be centerpiece for a series of talks around the ownership and control of geothermal power.

As a metaphor for the questionably dwindling resource, the fountain will have to be operated by at least two members of the public to get it to spurt or ‘font’.

“For the first half of the 20th Century the Wairakei geysers were as spectacular as those in Rotorua,” says Barlow, a Wellington based artist. “This energy is now being increasingly mined to power the national grid at the expense of small-scale uses and natural geothermal features.”

With work continuing apace on Mighty River Power’s Ngatamariki, the third geothermal power station built in the Taupo region in the last five years, the Public Fountain will explore public feeling around the control of geothermal power. Mighty River Power is a State owned asset flagged for sale this year.

Tim Barlow’s Public Fountain will be located at the corner of Horomatangi Street and Marama Arcade in Taupo’s town centre. Scientists, iwi members, engineers and artists are presenting at a series of talks between 12 and 2pm from Wednesday till Friday in Marama Arcade, next to Marama Hair design and barber shop. On Saturday 19th May the fountain and discussions will be found in the Turangi town centre plaza.

Tim is encouraging all members of the public to attend.  “I’m really looking forward to people sharing their stories. I’ve met some amazing individuals with wonderful stories to share in Taupo which reveal the deep relationship residents have with their special natural resource, and the ingenuity and imaginative uses they put it to.”

The storytelling sessions are structured around different themes with different speakers and a historic film presentation of the Wairakei geysers, care of the New Zealand Film Archive. The confirmed speakers are as follows:

Wednesday 16th May, 12-2pm: Geothermal legends and memories
Bringing stories from our past into the land of tomorrow.
Dylan Tahau,Taupo District Council
Jenny Pattrick, Novelist
Alison Harrington, Story-recorder, Time of your Life

Thursday 17th May, 12-2pm: Geothermal and future visions
School students unleash their imaginations on our geothermal future.
Paul White, GNS Scientist
Gillian Cooke, Writer, journalist

Friday 18th May, 12-2pm: Geothermal and money
The community and private control of power
Pat Brown, Accountant: From a Hot-pool to a Geothermal Power Plant
Pattrick O’Brien, Poet, writer
Ian Thain, Geoscientist: Use of Low Temperature Geothermal
With response from Bill Lomas, teacher

Saturday 19th May, 12-2pm (Turangi): Geothermal case study: Tokaanu
Management, guardianship and beauty of the geothermal resource
David Livingstone, Ngati Kurauia
John Ham, Te Kura o Hirangi
Anna McKnight, Department of Conservation

People interested in contributing says Barlow can either just turn up or contact him by email at [email protected] for more information and register their interest.

 

The Taupo Symposium 2013 Fabric Arts Festival

As I have forwarded this to a couple of fishos whose wives are keen quilters SWMBO thought it might also be of interest to others.  The only problem may be to find something for their husbands/partners to do for the week?
The Taupo Symposium 2013 Fabric Arts Festival will be held from 18-23 July 2013.

This promises to be a huge event for Taupo with over 1400 pre registrations already received, over a year out!!  The Symposium will be held over 5 days with 250 workshops.  It is expected that approximately 1000 delegates will attend one or more of the workshops each of the 5 days that the event is being run.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, the volume of people this event will be bringing to Taupo, is huge!  It is expected that approximately 500 delegates will attend from International destinations, with groups already registered from Ireland, UK, USA, South Africa, Norfolk Island and Australia!  The delegates attending the symposium will be a range of Patchwork and Quilting hobbiests, tutors and fans.  The average age will be approximately 55-60 years, and most will come as couples or families.  There will be an Exhibition held at the Great Lake Centre, The Museum and the Library, as well as at Taupo-nui-a-tia College.  This will bring a lot of visitors to Taupo.

This is certainly promising to be a great event for our district, so let’s all get behind the organisers and ensure the delegates have a great time while in Great Lake Taupo.

Regards
Karen Rainbow
Convention Bureau Manager
P: 07 376 0402
E: [email protected]
Destination Great Lake Taupō
P: +64 7 376 0400 | F: +64 7 376 0410
66 Paora Hapi Street | Taupō 3330 | PO Box 149 Taupō 3351

 

Fear cyclists would jeopardise fishing

Submissions for and against an around-the-mountains cycle trail have been heard in Invercargill this week, with Southland and Otago fishing fraternities the biggest obstacles for the tourism venture.

Fish and Game opposed the concept of an $11 million cycle trail when it was proposed last year by the Southland District Council, and this week reiterated that opposition.

Private landowners as well as Otago and Southland Fish and Game bodies reject the 184km trail, which would run from Walter Peak, past the Mavora Lakes to Lumsden and follow State Highway 6 to Kingston.

Fish and Game Southland officer Stuart Sutherland said in his submission users of the trail would ruin the tranquility of angling in the upper Oreti River.

He said the introduction of cyclists would “completely remove the peace and solitude aspect anglers enjoy”.

The upper Oreti River, he said, was known as a premier spot for brown trout and construction of the track as well as its use by cyclists would jeopardise that.

In a survey, he found that 60% of the individuals who fished the river were from overseas and a further 15% from outside the province.

This indicated to Mr Sutherland that fishing tourism was just as much of value to the region as the cycle trail would be.

“Stopping even the small percentage of the estimated 13,000 cyclists who may be carrying fishing gear from actually fishing and degrading the experience of the anglers legitimately, is a near impossibility.”

The trail’s project manager, Mike Barnett, in his submission said the trail would create tourism benefits, employment, economic and business opportunities and link up with Prime Minister John Key’s national cycleway network.

The council estimated that, by year five, the trail would attract over 12,000 cyclists a year who would be using the track mostly for more than one day at a time.

So, he said, using a 5% levy system, they would generate $254,000 to the council or trust for maintenance of the trail.

The council’s submission stated the cycle trail would be “potentially one of the most significant local tourism initiatives in recent years”.

The New Zealand Transport Agency had outlined several requirements the trail would need to follow, such as sufficient signs and “cycle holding pens” before it reached the state highway.

The proposal attracted 205 submissions in total, 109 in opposition, 65 in support, 26 supporting in principle and five neutral (including Environment Southland).

Commissioner Denis Nugent has requested further information from the council and, once submitters have responded, he will have 15 working days to release his decision.

 

Rules re-write seeks to boost fishing opportunities

VALUES: Iwi groups linked to the Ngaruroro River are being called to a hui over a plan to protect the waterway.

Paul Taylor

Higher Flows in Tongariro River 16th – 28th April 2012

I would like to inform you that flows in the Tongariro River below Poutu Intake are likely to be higher than the minimum flow of 16 cumecs between the 16^th -28^th April 2012. During this time Genesis Energy is undertaking routine maintenance at the Tokaanu Power Station and as a result no water will be diverted through Poutu Canal into Lake Rotoaira (where it is then utilised for power generation at Tokaanu Power Station). Check out Genesis Energy’s Rivers Lakes and Rainfall website for up-to-date river level information www.genesisenergy.co.nz/genesis/generation/rivers-lakes-and-rainfal/tongariro/tongariro_home.cfm

Please be aware that river levels may change at any time.

Please pass on this information to other river users and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Bonny Lawrence on 07 3847246 or myself.

Kind regards

Charlotte Fletcher
Environmental Coordinator
Genesis Energy

T: 07 384 7207
Ext: 7207

Thursday, 5 April, 2012 (Pinched from NZFishing.com)

Rangers All Set to Catch Spawning Trout Poachers

Monday, 2 April 2012, Press Release: Eastern Fish and Game (Pinched from NZFishing.com)

Rangers All Set to Catch Spawning Trout Poachers
As the trout spawning season approaches, Fish & Game’s Eastern Region is stepping up its operations to target poachers and anglers fishing illegally.

The Eastern Region, which takes in the Rotorua Lakes and tributaries has a huge variety of fisheries, says Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp. “They range from popular lakes and streams close to the city, to backcountry rivers.”

We run organised and random patrols and respond to tip offs from the public, but poachers can also expect to find themselves captured on film by a hidden ‘poacher cam,’ he says.

In the Eastern Region, staff and rangers typically deal annually with around 60 to 70 people, responsible for a total of around 130 offences. The most common offence is ‘fish without a licence’ closely followed by fishing with illegal tackle, and fishing in closed waters.

When the winter spawning season arrives, there’s often a surge in offending, Mr van Dorp says, usually in the small streams in the Rotorua Lakes District. “Trout in these small streams can be vulnerable to poaching, so we keep a close eye on them.”

In any given year in the Rotorua area, Fish & Game deals with as many as 20 people for poaching offences involving spawning trout. These include taking spawning trout with a net or spear, possession of net or spear in the vicinity of a spawning stream, and disturbing a spawning stream. “They are serious offences carrying penalties of up to 12 months in prison or a $10,000 fine.

“We also encounter a whole range of other varied offences, but usually dealing with only a handful of each. Fishing with more than one rod, giving false details, obstruction, and so on.”

Using the 2010 – 2011 year as an example, Eastern Rangers dealt with more than 60 offenders, who’d committed a total of 122 offences. Many were fishing with no licence and a third were using illegal tackle (including nets and trout eggs for bait), while others were fishing closed waters. Those caught by Fish & Game are dealt with in a variety of ways, not just through the courts.

Anthony van Dorp notes that Fish & Game and Police often work together, sharing information to intercept poachers, “and it works a treat!”

“Some of the offending carries prison terms as penalties and in those cases, people can be arrested by Police. In the past few years quite a number of trout poachers have been caught as a result of being tracked by Police dog teams in the vicinity of spawning streams.

“While most of our contact with the public is with law abiding licenceholders who stick to the rules – there’s a minority out there who are at the other end of the spectrum. They are the element who’ll break all the rules, and are well known to other law enforcement agencies.”

Anthony van Dorp is reminding people who see suspected poachers in action to sound the alarm: 0800 POACHING (0800-762-244)

Turangi Colours Festival – Easter Weekend

DOC Media release – 15 March 2012

Be inspired and be involved in this celebration of colour. Turangi is once again showcasing its beautiful autumn trees and its many talented artists over Easter Weekend 2012.  Visit the art galleries, join in some art workshops or wander through the Town Centre Art and Food Market on Easter Saturday.  There will be musicians performing on stage and Street Theatre to entertain.  Food lovers will be able to try local delicacies with a Gala Dinner on Saturday night at Tongariro Lodge featuring local food and wines.  For more info www.turangi.org

Project Tongariro will be participating by way of an advocacy stall at the Town Centre Art and Food Market on Easter Sunday – 8th April 2012.  Our volunteers will be on hand to provide info about our current projects and in particular will be informing people about the ‘Adopt a Hectare’ initiative at Rotopounamu.  People will have the opportunity to sign up for a walk around Rotopounamu on Easter Monday (9th April) guided by Nick Singers (DOC Technical Support Officer – Flora) who has an intimate knowledge about this unique, beautiful part of Tongariro National Park. Nick will describe key features along the way.  Participants will be encouraged to donate to the ‘Adopt a Hectare’ initiative.

If you are interested in volunteering to help man the stall and advocacy trailer on Easter Sunday, please email [email protected]

FEARS OF BROWN TROUT CULL UNJUSTIFIED

Recent articles in the Department of Conservation’s Taupo fishery newsletter, Target Taupo, have led to a great deal of discussion in the local and social media arenas. While much of this debate has been well informed, there are some misconceptions about the department’s plans to investigate re-instating the winter runs of rainbow trout into the Tongariro River. The purpose of this statement is to clarify some of the misconceptions and misinformation which have been circulating, and to bring some balance to the discussion.

The idea that the department intends to cull brown trout to help the rainbow trout runs recover, which has received widespread comment, is both incorrect and ill informed. While brown trout do eat juvenile rainbow trout, and their offspring do provide competition for juvenile rainbows, they are only one of a number of possible reasons for declining numbers of early running rainbow trout in the Tongariro River. As fishery managers the department recognises the value of the brown trout fishery in the Tongariro River, and that it is worthy of protection as the world class angling opportunity that it represents. The department does not have any intention to undertake culling or any other sort of control of the brown trout population.

The Lake Taupo trout fishery is classed as a wild fishery as it is sustained by natural spawning and does not rely on hatchery releases or stocking to ensure sufficient numbers of trout for anglers or for reproduction in future years. However, for a number of different reasons including environmental factors, the timing of the traditional winter spawning runs has become much later, with a spring run now being the norm. As fishery managers, the department seeks to understand why this shift has occurred and also investigate whether it is possible to manipulate the run timing to return to a more traditional winter run, and this is why preparations are being made to release juvenile rainbow trout into the Tongariro system.

As explained in more detail in issue 64 of Target Taupo, we are embarking on a trial release of up to 20,000 juvenile rainbow trout in June 2012. These fish will be either from Lake Otamangakau or Lake Tarawera depending on the findings of a comprehensive genetic study. These juveniles originate from early running adults and so will hopefully breed early in 2-3 years time. Upon release into the Tongariro system, the juvenile rainbows will be of a suitable size to avoid the likelihood of being predated upon by brown trout. They will be tagged so they can be monitored to see if they return as early running adults.

As this is a trial over the next three years, the experiment will be refined, based on our results, to improve the outcomes of the trial.

This will explore the feasibility of restoring the early runs in the Tongariro system, while the fishery at large will still rely upon natural spawning to ensure its future. In the meantime, over the next few months anglers should enjoy some excellent fishing as the Tongariro River brown trout make their way upriver to spawn.

Contacts

Mark Venman

Programme Manager Field Operations – Fishery

Taupo-nui-a-Tia Area Office

Phone: 07 384 7158

Cell: 0272 386 319

Background information

Target Taupo, January 2012, issue 64

If you require a copy of this issue please email [email protected]

Update 2 March 2012:

New research has countered theories that didymo can’t grow in North Island rivers.

The Cawthron Institute has successfully grown the alga in a range of river water from both islands at its laboratories in Nelson.

Didymo has now been in New Zealand waterways for more than seven years, but is so far found only in the south where over 150 waterways are infected.

But there is no indication at present that it has crossed Cook Strait.

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research estimates that didymo has cost $128 million in the past five years due to its negative effect on tourism, recreation and the environment.

New estimates predict a monetary impact of $211 – $855 million from now until 2020.

More on the didymo infestation can be heard on Insight on Sunday.

In the meantime, listen to a preview on Morning Report

Rivers Report Hits The Mark

Published on Thursday, January 26, 2012 – 15:00

Fish & Game agrees with the findings of a report released today which says the protection of New Zealand’s finite stock of rivers has been neglected, leaving them exposed to ongoing development and intensive agriculture.

“The New Zealand Conservation Authority’s (NZCA) findings support what Fish & Game has been warning for years – there has been an abject failure by successive governments to protect New Zealand’s rivers from pollution, water extraction and development,” says Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“Already 90% of our lowland rivers are classed as polluted and water quality is still declining as our rivers come under increasing pressure from development and intensive agriculture. The Conservation Authority points out that river protection is ‘slipping through the cracks’ and Government commitment to protect them is urgently required – Fish & Game couldn’t agree more.

“We’re particularly pleased the Conservation Authority has identified the urgent need for greater emphasis on protection measures for all rivers, not just ‘comprehensive protection’ suggested for those iconic waterways which remain in a natural state.”

The Conservation Authority also notes the Department of Conservation (DOC) and regional councils “are failing” to safeguard rivers for the long-term, and Mr Johnson says the report presents a compelling case for strengthening the protection of New Zealand’s rivers from environmentally unsustainable development such as intensive agriculture, over-allocation for irrigation and hydro-power generation.

“Fish & Game strongly endorses the Conservation Authority’s conclusion that ‘a greater commitment’ is required by Government, with ‘more attention and resources’ directed to the protection of our rivers.
“We need a national level government agency explicitly responsible for river protection. Logically, this would be DOC which has a clear mandate for natural resource conservation but is currently discouraged from actively advocating for rivers and other water bodies such as lakes and wetlands.”

Fish & Game was integral in establishing Water Conservation Orders (WCO) – National Park status for rivers of national significance – on 13 of the 16 rivers currently afforded such protection.

At a time when Trustpower is seeking to undermine the Rakaia WCO through the new ECan Act, Mr Johnson says it is encouraging the Conservation Authority recommends strengthening WCOs which is the only mechanism for protecting rivers written into this country’s law.

“Fish & Game fought to safeguard those rivers into the future for all New Zealanders – it’s fundamentally wrong that the status of a WCO could be eroded for development when a full judicial enquiry has been made and won for its protection.

“We also agree that the RMA should be amended to enable a WCO to include provisions applying to land use that may impact on the effect of a WCO.

“The Conservation Authority has put together a solid list of recommendations that would go some way towards addressing the public’s growing concerns about water quality decline. There will be many New Zealanders now waiting to see the Government’s response to this report

Auckland/Waikato Reel Life Feb 2012

Published on Monday, February 27, 2012 – 05:30

Drift dive surveys

We carried out three dive surveys over February.  I was curious about what we’d find in the upper Whakapapa River, as several recent reports from fishing guides had described the fishing as hard work.  Although trout numbers were down slightly from last year, they were still comparable to 2009-2010. I suspect that the fishing’s been hard because of the increased angling pressure rather than any decline in fish numbers.

The Awakino was also holding similar numbers of trout to previous years with plenty of rainbows in the 1-2kg range.  I was surprised by the large amount of slime on the rocks indicating that there had been no floods for a long time. Indeed, one of the local landowners noted that the river had been low and fishable for most of the summer as they simply didn’t get the heavy rain that fell further north.

We also surveyed the upper reaches of the Waipa River, about 15km upstream from Toa Bridge. Visibility was poor at only 3.5m – more than adequate for sight fishing but way too low for an accurate fish count. Nevertheless we saw several adult fish in every pool and presumably missed a lot more.

Fishy images are needed for next Seasons Taupo District Fishing Licences.

Win your 2012 /13 Season Licence.

Send you photos to:

[email protected]

for consideration.

Photos must be of the Taupo Fishery and taken in the last year

Correspondence:

I am pleased to attach the notice from ECAN on Stock Exclusion from
waterways in the Canterbury Region. These rules apply from June 2012.

WE hope that your local council has similar rules and practices as our
precious water resources need all the help and management they can to
safeguard and improve water quality.

Well done to ECAN.

Selwyn Hodder
Secretary
New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers(inc)
C/- P O Box 38-777
Howick, Manukau 2145
Email secretary “[email protected]”
http:/www.nzffa.net
( All the Federation info and news is here !)

Factsheet
Stock exclusion from waterways
This Factsheet explains rule WQL21 in the operative Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan
There are new rules excluding stock from natural waterways in Canterbury which are designed to safeguard and improve water quality.
The rules from June 2011
Livestock access to natural waterways is allowed only if there are no significant adverse effects, which include:
Fencing to provide a buffer between stock and a waterway helps to protect water quality. Plants in the riparian zone – whether grasses or natives – create a filter to help absorb nutrient runoff.
• • • •
Heavy pugging in rivers, lakes, or wetlands Visible discolouration of water An increase in bacteria levels Any obvious evidence of faecal matter in waterways.
Additional rules from June 2012
All intensively farmed livestock will be completely prohibited from entering natural waterways. This applies to:
•    Farmed pigs
•    Dairy cattle
•    Any stock grazed on irrigated land (including sheep, deer, horses, goats, lama, alpacas)
•    Any stock break-feeding or strip-grazed on winter crops (such as kale) in or adjacent to a natural waterbody (including wetlands).
In addition any cattle, farmed deer or pigs will be prohibited from entering waterways defined in the relevant schedule or planning map, which are:
•    Within 1km of a river bathing site
•    Within 1km upstream from a community drinking water supply
•    At a salmon or inanga (whitebait) spawning site
•    In a permanently flowing reach of specified low land rivers.
Everything is connected
Fencing, even if only temporary, is the simplest way to restrict stock access to natural waterways.
Riparian planting absorbs nutrient runoff helping to protect water quality
Recommendations for stock management
We recommend everyone who manages stock should take the time to understand these rules and put measures in place to ensure stock are kept out of natural waterways.
In places where stock are causing significant adverse effects urgent action is needed to reduce or avoid these effects.
Methods to reduce stock access to natural waterways include: • Newpermanentfences • Theuseoftemporaryfences • Newbridgesorculvertsforstocktocrosswaterways.
• Avoidplantingwinterfeedcropsinpaddockswith natural waterways.
Additional recommendations from June 2012
Dairy and pig farmers should be planning to exclude stock from natural waterways by June 2012.
New management tools may be required, including: • Restrictedstockaccessdrinkingpointsinnaturalwaterways • Areticulatedstockwatersystem
Regulatory consequences
Failure to comply with the new rules for stock access to natural waterways is likely to result in enforcement action, such as an abatement or infringement notice, or could even result in prosecution.
Everything is connected
Promoting quality of life through balanced resource management
www.ecan.govt.nz
Bridges and culverts keep stock out of natural waterways.
Where to get information or advice
If you would like to talk to someone about the new rules or get some on-farm advice call Customer Services on 0800 324-636.
More information on the new rules is available on our website:
www.ecan.govt.nz/nrrp
Financial support for fencing may be available for extended riparian areas with high biodiversity value and in conjunction with a native planting programme. Call Customer Services and ask to speak to a Biodiversity Officer or visit: www.ecan.govt.nz/biodiversity for more information.
What is a natural waterway?
River or stream: a continually or intermittently flowing body of fresh water. This includes a stream and modified watercourse. It does not include any artificial watercourse (such as an irrigation canal, a water supply race, a hydroelectric canal, or a farm drain).
Lake: a body of fresh water which is entirely or nearly surrounded by land.
Wetland: includes permanently or intermittently wet areas, shallow water, and land-water boundaries that support a natural ecosystem of plants and animals adapted to wet conditions.
For more information: please visit our website for more detail on these rules: http://ecan.govt.nz/nrrp
Environment Canterbury offices
Christchurch
PO Box 345 Christchurch 8013
P: 03 353 9007 P: 0800 324 636 F: 03 365 3194
Timaru
75 Church Street PO Box 550 Timaru 7940
P: 03 687 7800 F: 03 687 7808

Home About Us Calendar NZ Silver Flies Teams Sponsors Entry Forms Results Links Photogallery Worlds 2008 Contact Us Reports NZ Silver Flies Teams \ Team Clinics Learn how & where to catch more trout with expert help from the New Zealand Fly-Fishing Team. To assist the NZ Fly Fishing team compete in Slovenia next year the team are running a series of clinics catering for all levels of ability, from beginner to experienced angler. The objective of the team running these clinics is to help you gain skills that will mean you will catch more fish when you are on the river (or lake). This is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best fly-fisherman in NZ. Our team members have attended lots of international competitions and know the latest techniques that they will be able to pass along to you. As there will be no more than two clients to each team member there will be plenty of one on one tuition making these clinics suitable for anglers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced. Members of the 2012 NZ World Fly Fishing team will be attending the weekend and there will be plenty of opportunities for participants to share time with some of NZ’s elite anglers either fly fishing, learning to cast a fly, brushing up skills or just sharing a meal and a glass of wine with a group of like minded enthusiasts. We have had a fantastic response to our initial advertising and have so far confirmed dates and venues for three clinics. Unfortunately we have had responses from a wide range of cities and towns that we will not be able to get to for practical and financial reasons, however as we are still receiving enquiries this may change over the coming weeks.   What the guests said about the clinics “You don’t need to thank me!  It’s the other way round; that was the best weekend I have had for a long time!!  I got home and had a little rave to my wife how I was coached by 5 of the world’s best fly fishermen.  I learnt more in those 2 days than I have in years” “Teresa and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to yourself and the other guides for the weekend fly-fishing clinic we just attended. We both found it very informative and fun and came away with lots of new found knowledge that we would not have got without the expert guidance of the team. With Teresa being relatively new to the sport it was a pleasure to watch her confidence and skills grow as the guys really did put the extra effort into showing her the ropes in a relaxed and enthusiastic manner. She will be a far better fly fisherman as will I having attended the clinic” Hi Tony Thank you very much for your message. I really enjoyed the weekend with you guys. I’ve learnt a lot and just listening to the comments, thoughts and theories would have given me more than I expected! The fishing was just the icing on the cake, well done! Thank you all for your efforts and patients”  Last clinic this season and only a few places left 11/12 February 2012 Venue: TukiTuki River, Hawkes Bay Accommodation : To be advised Focus of clinic: This clinic will focus primarily on dry fly fishing techniques however we will also cover other river fishing techniques if desired. Preparing tackle including knots, leaders, flies etc Fly-tying Reading water, spotting fish and where to fish Techniques including dry fly fishing, nymphing, wetlining, Czech nymphing etc Playing and landing fish. We will meet at 7.30pm on the Friday night for an informal introduction and will conclude at appox 2.00 pm on the Sunday. The cost of each clinic will be $600 per attendee and will be on a first paid basis. Accommodation and meals will be in addition to our costs and for practical reasons all attendees are expected to stay at the clinic accommodation base. Additional clinics may be scheduled depending on further interest. If for any reason you can’t make any of these dates or venues let us know as we may be able to provide alternative tuition (either in a group or one on one). As mentioned previously, our primary goal is to help raise some funds to send the NZ Fly Fishing team to the World Championships in Slovenia next year. As with  most minor sports external funding sources are extremely limited and the cost of attending these competitions, which are nearly always held in Europe, is extremely expensive. We appreciate your support. Please contact me at email as below to confirm which clinic/s you wish to attend or if you require any further information. Details of what you need to bring will be sent out with your confirmation of attendance “I have been fortunate enough to attend 2 weekend fly-fishing clinics with these guys and I can highly recommend them. It would be hard to beat the fun, friendship, experience and opportunities to learn…” Andrew Lawson Email: [email protected]

© 2011 Sport Fly Fishing N.Z. (Inc).
Site by Fishing.net.nz

x Reel Life 21 December:

Rivers Report Hits The Mark

Fish & Game agrees with the findings of a report released today which says the protection of New Zealand’s finite stock of rivers has been neglected, leaving them exposed to ongoing development and intensive agriculture.

“The New Zealand Conservation Authority’s (NZCA) findings support what Fish & Game has been warning for years – there has been an abject failure by successive governments to protect New Zealand’s rivers from pollution, water extraction and development,” says Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“Already 90% of our lowland rivers are classed as polluted and water quality is still declining as our rivers come under increasing pressure from development and intensive agriculture. The Conservation Authority points out that river protection is ‘slipping through the cracks’ and Government commitment to protect them is urgently required – Fish & Game couldn’t agree more.

“We’re particularly pleased the Conservation Authority has identified the urgent need for greater emphasis on protection measures for all rivers, not just ‘comprehensive protection’ suggested for those iconic waterways which remain in a natural state.”

The Conservation Authority also notes the Department of Conservation (DOC) and regional councils “are failing” to safeguard rivers for the long-term, and Mr Johnson says the report presents a compelling case for strengthening the protection of New Zealand’s rivers from environmentally unsustainable development such as intensive agriculture, over-allocation for irrigation and hydro-power generation.

“Fish & Game strongly endorses the Conservation Authority’s conclusion that ‘a greater commitment’ is required by Government, with ‘more attention and resources’ directed to the protection of our rivers.
“We need a national level government agency explicitly responsible for river protection. Logically, this would be DOC which has a clear mandate for natural resource conservation but is currently discouraged from actively advocating for rivers and other water bodies such as lakes and wetlands.”

Fish & Game was integral in establishing Water Conservation Orders (WCO) – National Park status for rivers of national significance – on 13 of the 16 rivers currently afforded such protection.

At a time when Trustpower is seeking to undermine the Rakaia WCO through the new ECan Act, Mr Johnson says it is encouraging the Conservation Authority recommends strengthening WCOs which is the only mechanism for protecting rivers written into this country’s law.

“Fish & Game fought to safeguard those rivers into the future for all New Zealanders – it’s fundamentally wrong that the status of a WCO could be eroded for development when a full judicial enquiry has been made and won for its protection.

“We also agree that the RMA should be amended to enable a WCO to include provisions applying to land use that may impact on the effect of a WCO.

“The Conservation Authority has put together a solid list of recommendations that would go some way towards addressing the public’s growing concerns about water quality decline. There will be many New Zealanders now waiting to see the Government’s response to this report.”

Audit Raises Concerns Over ‘Clean Streams’ Credibility

Media release from Fish & Game NZ – 13th December 2011

Audit Raises Concerns Over ‘Clean Streams’ Credibility

The credibility of Fonterra’s annual reporting on the Clean Streams Accord has been cast into serious doubt after an independent audit of one of the Accord’s key measures exposed a major discrepancy.

Fish & Game NZ says the audit reveals a significant difference between what Fonterra reports as ‘progress’ around stock exclusion from waterways and what is actually being done on farm.

This was exposed by an independent audit, commissioned by MAF, which appears in the latest ‘Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress’ report released today.

“While Fonterra’s survey of farmers suggests 84% of properties have stock excluded from waterways, the reality is only half that number of farms nationally have complete stock exclusion – that’s clearly what MAF’s independent audit reveals,” says Fish & Game chief executive Bryce Johnson.

“Given the extent to which the Accord achievements have been talked up in the past, this latest revelation raises questions about the accuracy of all the other performance targets reported to the New Zealand public, politicians and the government’s Land and Water Forum.

“It’s a woeful indictment on the legitimacy of the Accord, on dairying’s environmental ‘performance’ over the past decade and particularly the industry’s claim that self-policing is the way towards achieving improved water quality,” says Mr Johnson.

“MAF, or some independent body, should have been auditing the Accord years ago. Why has it taken eight years for MAF, which is party to the Accord, to check the accuracy of Fonterra’s reporting?”

Data in the Accord Snapshot is taken from Fonterra’s annual survey in which dairy farmers are asked questions to appraise their own environmental performance. On the other hand, the stock exclusion audit involved an independent technician visually assessing a randomly selected sample of farms.

“Fish & Game has constantly highlighted the problem of the dairy industry self-reporting and we’ve repeatedly questioned the ‘success’ of the Accord when the science clearly tells us water quality in most regions is still declining,” says Mr Johnson.

“The audit findings justify our concerns and the urgent need to require the industry to lift its environmental performance, rather than literally pay lip service to it.

“This also confirms the need for review of the Accord – Fish & Game has previously requested that we participate in this process. The review needs to incentivise the positive actions by the good farmers and impose behaviour-changing financial sanctions on those not meeting the requirements after nearly 10 years.

“A new agreement needs to address water quality by ensuring runoff from farming does not enter waterways. It also needs to address run-off properties and smaller streams where water quality is poor.”

Motives behind Fonterra’s fencing ‘initiative’ emerge

Fish & Game NZ chief executive Bryce Johnson says the release of the independent audit sheds light on the real reasons behind Fonterra’s sudden announcement last week that they will require suppliers to exclude stock from waterways.

“Clearly that move – which still wouldn’t take effect until 18 months out – was an attempt to blunt the fall-out from this exposé.

“However, what’s particularly frustrating about Fonterra’s knee-jerk response to enforce mandatory stock exclusion is that they have effectively only cemented in the old and inadequate provisions of the current Accord, the limitations of which they are well aware.

“Once again, they’ve completely neglected any reference to the all-important riparian buffer zones needed to soak up dairy runoff pollution. Fencing the stream edge excludes stock but does little to improve overall water quality.

“On top of that they still adhere to the totally inadequate measure of an Accord waterway as being ‘wider than a stride and deeper than a Redband’ – this ignores feeder streams which provide important breeding and nursery habitat for fisheries and wildlife and, if left unprotected, still contribute to the dairy pollution entering the main water body.

“Fonterra, which is part of the Land and Water Forum (LAWF), knows such provisions are completely inadequate in addressing water quality. This is explicitly recognised in LAWF recommendation 12 which identifies the need for riparian buffer zone fencing. So why has Fonterra formalised a major barrier to its implementation?

“Are they going to tell their suppliers tomorrow to shift the fences they made them put in today in order to allow for riparian buffer zones they acknowledged through LAWF?”

Press Release: NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers     
17 November 2011
Anglers Warn Politicians On Trout Farming

A national trout fishing body has warned National that any thought of trout farming could result in strong and vocal opposition and election action from the 100,000 or more trout anglers in New Zealand.

Ken Sims, acting president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA), a national federation of freshwater fishing clubs, said an incoming National government was likely to promote freshwater fish farming which includes trout farming. Opposition to trout farming went back to the 1972 election when the majority of trout anglers took their anger to the ballot boxes resulting in several electorate defeats for National and defeat as government.

“The Federation was formed back in 1974, partially to fight the introduction of trout farming. We have been at it ever since”, said Ken Sims, “including opposing a recent concerted but misguided campaign by Federated Farmers.”

Ken Sims said the early settlers established a heritage of a free, egalitarian freshwater fishery available to everyone. They were determined to avoid the old feudal class system of private ownership and exclusive access of fish and fisheries available to only a wealthy minority. Consequently it is illegal to sell trout fishing rights and the trout fishery is in essence, owned by the public.

Apart from being a healthy outdoor recreation, trout fishing is a multi million-dollar tourist attraction for international and domestic tourism, a point the Prime Minister as Minister of Tourism should heed said Ken Sims.

“There are so many reasons why commercial trout aquaculture is a bad idea, it really is a no-brainer,” he added. “Diseases in trout farms, incentives for black markets and poaching, use of public water, organic effluent, and farm escapees ruining the genetic makeup of evolved wild fisheries are just some. In addition trout farming economically has little value as markets are saturated. Overseas advice is that trout farming is capital intensive, high risk and poor economics.”

Ken Sims said it was common knowledge the president of the National Party is a major shareholder in a corporate fishery company who would be willing to risk trout farming.

“The latest, current, uncontrolled Biosecurity incursion of a new organism infecting trout, salmon and native fish within NZ should give this Government a ‘heads-up’, but if plans to include trout farming are true, then greed and short-sightedness seems paramount.”

Trout fishing was under threat from current land use and waste management practices that are unsustainable and are causing permanent damage to the public fishery. “Trout farming would be the death knell for a public resource and a major tourist attraction,” he said.

NZFFA had enquired of National’s plans on trout farming but had received no reply.
“We even personally requested the Prime Minister for policies on this, without receiving the courtesy of a response.”

The NZFFA was apolitical and impartial but policies of trout farming allied with a signalled increase in unsustainable land practices plus pollution from town and country had left the organisation and its clubs with no option but utilise MMP and give their party vote to a recreational-friendly ‘minor party’ this election.

Minor parties such as United Future are promoting strong, unambiguous policies aiming to protect the heritage of public rivers and trout fishing.

Ken Sims said the words of the late JF Kennedy, who said “Each generation must deal anew with the raiders, with the scramble to use public resources for private profit and with the tendency to prefer short-run profits to long-run necessities. The battle to preserve the common estate is far from won.” were becoming more and more applicable to New Zealand.

ANGLERS BEWARE…

During the build up to NZ’s election when we are all being bombarded by political messages, TRM’s daily report on 15 & 16 November expressed the need to be more aware and to encourage anglers to take positive action to protect their fisheries.  The danger is apathy.  If you do nothing then you are in danger of losing out to selfish commercial interests or what politicians claim as “progress”.

i.e.  NZ Herald 18 November – page 35 – from The Insider Column:

“Trout has long been among the “forbidden fruit”of New Zealand’s great outdoors.  Recreational fishers have managed to resist the commercialisation of trout, arguing that farmed trout would pass diseases to wild trout.  They have even managed to continue to make it illegal to buy and sell wild trout.  But some officials in the fisheries sector have been pushing ministers to legalise one of the last taboos.  They are hoping that the current crop of politicians will have forgotten how much heat was generated by what seems a meaningless issue – to non-anglers anyway – last time it was debated more than 20 years ago.”

Advocates newsletter:  November 11, 2011

By Eric Wilson

Genesis Community consultation meeting

35 year consents for the Tongariro Power Scheme (TPS) now in place.

The Genesis consultation meeting was held Tuesday 8th November. I, Mark Cosgrove and Virginia Church attended on behalf of the committee. We learnt that the Tongariro Power Scheme (TPS) consents have been granted for 35 years. Relationship agreements were reached with Ngati Rangi and Whanganui iwi in December 2010, that the appeal to the Supreme Court by iwi appellants was withdrawn and that the consent term was reinstated at a hearing of the Environment Court  on 2nd June 2011. The relationship agreements include connective flows, research and monitoring and mitigation funding.

The complexity of operating the scheme and its impact on Lake Taupo water levels was discussed with explanations of compliance and regret for 3 instances of non compliance.

Sedimentation

Of interest to us is the fact that Genesis now has an in house team of hydrologists.

The issue of sediment flushing arose through questions. The response is that there is still a huge amount of ash and sand in the catchment from the 1995 and 96 Ruapehu eruptions. In the dry desert landscape of Mt Ruapehu this material lies  loose and easily able to be washed into the Tongariro River when weather events occur that will move this material. Such a weather event in January this year, Cyclone Norma, moved an enormous quantity of material in to the river. We were told that flushing occured in September 2010, May 2011 and again in October 2011. After each event the lower river filled with sediment. We will go to Rangipo Dam on December 2nd to have the system explained to us.

Periphyton and Invertebrate monitoring

Cam Speedy spoke about monitoring of Periphyton amd invertebrates. The key issue seemed to me that a river full of Mayfly, Stonefly and Caddisfly (EPT) was a river with a good food supply for trout and Whio (Blue Ducks). Anglers will notice the fly hatches and the swallows darting over the surface of the river swooping on the flies. That is good.

Periphyton is a brown slippery plant growth that covers the stones and rocks when the river changes to  a more languid flow. The insect life changes according to the food supply. Periphyton does not support the big bugs, EPT . It does support smaller insects of much lesser food value to trout and Whio.

We see the Tongariro river as an important nursery for trout. The nursery is more effective when there are plenty of these aquatic larval insects.

Interestingly the Whio population on the river is growing. The Whio is a torrent duck which likes the faster water where periphyton is not able to establish itself indicating that the faster water still grows the right plants and insects. It has been a good year for Whio (Blue Duck) and Genesis as sponsor of the National Whio Recovery Programme feels its sponsorship is in a good cause as do we.

I applaud Genesis Energy for holding this consulation meeting to opely discuss their environmental activity around the TPS.

Genesis Energy advise:

Recreation release dates for 2012

Recreational release dates were advised as:

January 8th  30 cu mecs from Rangipo Dam

February 4th 30 cumecs from Poutu Intake

February 5th 30 cu mecs from Rangipo Dam

September 15th 30 cumecs from Poutu Intake

September 16th 30 cu mecs from Rangipo Dam.

Releases from Rangipo Dam are more for kayakers and while there is an increased flow level in the area of Turangi it is not as significant as the release from the Poutu Intake.

Trout bacteria tests show strain not typical

Updated at 1:52 pm on 2 November 2011

A strain of a bacterial fish disease found in an Otago trout hatchery is not the typical strain of the disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says hatchery trout were found to be infected with the Aeromonas bacteria in October.

The same bacteria had already killed hundreds of lamprey eels.

Otago Fish and Game chief executive Niall Watson is encouraged by the latest tests, saying the typical version of the bacteria is more of a concern for fish-rearing facilities.

Mr Watson says more testing is needed before it is known whether the disease is the more common atypical variant.

He says he is worried about what impact the disease could have on native fish species.

Issue developments

MAF received a report from Environment Southland of sick or dead lamprey (Kanakana)  in the Mataura River.

This had been first noticed around 13 September 2011.  On 30 Sept preliminary lab testing of the fish identified the presence of a bacterium, Aeromonas salmonicida.  The Aeromonas bacterium occurs in ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ strains.  The ‘typical’ strain causes a range of conditions, including skin lesions, in salmon and trout. The ‘atypical’ strain affects a wider range of fish worldwide (including Australia) with similar symptoms.  Neither strain has been previously found in New Zealand, although community information suggests the disease may have been noticed in lamprey populations in earlier years.

A. salmonicida is an unwanted organism and a notifiable organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and a new organism under the HSNO Act 1996.

Subsequent to the positive identification of the bacterium in the lamprey, infection with A. samonicida has been confirmed in two juvenile rainbow trout from a hatchery on the Taieri River.  MAF is examining two further trout from the hatchery, but our investigations at this stage suggest there is a very low prevalence of the disease at the facility.

We now have a situation where lamprey (from the Mataura, Mokoreta and Waikawa Rivers) and trout from the Taieri River have been confirmed with the bacterium.

Laboratory work continues to identify the particular strain of bacterium at play in this situation.  We are awaiting final confirmation of the positive PCR test results received to date through bacterial culture. This could take some weeks yet. Further analysis is required to determine if the bacterium is typical or atypical.

In the meantime we are keen to continue receiving reports of sick or dead fish to our freephone 0800 80 99 66.

In particular we need further specimens of diseased lamprey to help with full identification.  As well I encourage reports of any illness in other fish species.

Reporting of new finds

Reports of any affected fish can be made through the 24/7 pest and disease hotline – 0800 80 99 66.  The call centre will put you in contact with an investigator who will give you instructions on the best way to collect and preserve samples for analysis.

I wish you all an enjoyable Labour Weekend.  I will be back in touch when there are further developments to report.

Please advise if you wish us to add contacts to the distribution of this report.

Glen Neal
MAF Response Manager

Since this report, it was stated yesterday, 2nd November, that the strain is a non virulent strain.

re TROUT FARMING…

Hi Ross, just to keep you informed I received this reply from D.O.C. today. Sounds good.

20 October 2011

Dear Mike,

Further to my email to you yesterday,  current legislation prohibits the buying and selling of New Zealand wild trout (section 26ZQ(1)(a) of the Conservation Act) and although section 301(a) of the Fisheries Act 1996 authorises the making of regulations for the purpose of constructing fish farms (specifying that it is for other than trout), section 26ZI(4) of the Conservation Act 1987 is more direct, and states that no person shall establish, manage or operate a fish farm for trout. This means that a change in the law would be necessary before an application to farm trout could be considered. The Department understands that the Government has no plans, currently, to amend the legislation.

The ban on trout farming actually pre-dates the prohibition set out in the Conservation Act 1987, and there continues to be very strong support from Fish and Game Councils, sports fishing organisations and individuals for maintaining the non-commercial status of trout. If any proposal to change the law and provide for trout farming were to be considered, it would require a thorough assessment of the potential impacts on the economic benefits of the wild trout fishery to local economies throughout New Zealand.

Our country’s recreational wild trout fishery has significant cultural and recreational importance for New Zealanders, contributes to our positive tourism image and is considered iconic and unique, and the existing management regime is considered very important for maintaining these values.

Yours sincerely

Martin Gembitsky
Senior Statutory Bodies Officer (Fish & Game) Policy Group Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai National Office PO Box 10 420, Wellington 6143
18-32 Manners St, Wellington, New Zealand

So it sounds like no Trout Farming for now.
All the best.
Mike

CALL FOR ACTION ON NZ’s ‘DETERIORATING FRESHWATER’
TVNZ – 28/09/2011

New Zealand freshwater quality is deteriorating and action is needed to halt the trend, the Auditor-General’s Office says in a report that has upset the farming lobby.
“We have reason to be concerned about freshwater quality in some parts of the country, particularly in lowland areas that are mainly used for farming,” says the report published yesterday.
The report was based on an independent investigation into water quality in areas covered by Waikato Regional Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council
and Environment Southland, all important dairy farming areas, covering about a third of New Zealand.
Regional and unitary authorities had to standardise methods of reporting water quality so they knew whether it was getting better or worse, why that was, and whether policies to maintain and enhance water quality were working, the report said. Although water quality was good by international standards, it was deteriorating.
Federated Farmers has questioned the value of the report. President Bruce Wills said it did not give enough credit to the enormous amount of work being put in by farmers and others to improve water quality.
“I am concerned the [Auditor-General's Office] didn’t look at central government policies, didn’t look at Canterbury, didn’t look at point-source issues, but above all, didn’t look at regional council monitoring of urban water quality or storm water.
“There’s no argument from farmers that farm run-off impacts the environment and being aware of that, there’s a lot being done about it.
“What frustrates me is this report doesn’t give the complete picture on the effects of point-source pollution or storm water.”
Environment Minister Nick Smith agreed that was of concern, and needed addressing.
“That’s why we have put in place a national policy statement for freshwater management, established the 62-strong Land and Water Forum, doubled fines for farmers who don’t comply with consents, introduced regulations for metering water takes and provided a fivefold increase in funding to clean up our lakes and rivers, Smith said.
The Government would move on the report’s recommendations and urged regional councils to pick up on its recommendations for improvements.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle welcomed any move to standardise water quality reporting. He said it must start with a clear definition of the values that water quality was being managed for.
“We often see technical reports covering a range of physical and chemical indicators, including those presented in the auditor-general’s report. Some indicators may be going up, others down and some are unchanged.”
That meant building an overall water quality picture often came down to individual interpretation, he said.
The Green Party said the report highlighted the need for strong national direction to clean up fresh water, which the Government had failed to provide.
“Looking after our natural environment, including our rivers and lakes, is the best thing we can do to build a stronger economy that in turn looks after all our people,” said co- leader Russell Norman.
Horizons Regional Council welcomed the report, which described the council’s compliance monitoring as “robust” and “fair”.
It found Horizons to be maintaining and enhancing water quality in the Rangitikei and Whanganui catchments, though issues remained in Manawatu.

Waikato tribe assumes joint fishery management

x NZ Herald 19 September (by Yvonne Tahana Maori Affairs reporter

Introduction of customary fisheries regulations for many Waikato River users will be the first real signs of what the Waikato-Tainui Crown co-management Treaty deal means in practice.
From Thursday, the tribe’s Raupatu River Trust and appointed kaitiaki will be able to issue customary fishing authorisations, applying from Karipiro tot he river’s mouth including tributaries, lakes and wetlands.
These permit tribal members to:
*    Provide food for a hui,
*    Undertake educational and environmental research,
*    Restore species.
The regulations are a product of Treaty settlement laws passed last year.
Under them, the Trust can also recommend bylaws to the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture to restrict fishing on the lower river to ensure the long term sustainability of fish stocks or for cultural reasons.
Commercial and recreational rights for other New Zealanders will be regulated by existing regulations.

Department of Conservation review has local impacts

(7 September 2011 press release)

The Department of Conservation is to set up new regional service centres in its Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch offices as it moves to re-organise its systems for supporting conservation staff in the field.

As a result a number of science and technical jobs have been cut from the Department of Conservation’s Whanganui, Taranaki and Turangi offices, and some new support roles will be consolidated in a new conservancy office in Taupo.  The changes do not affect ranger positions in the Department’s area offices, or the location of the area offices.
Tongariro Whanganui Taranaki conservator Damian Coutts says the decision to move the conservancy office to Taupo was “very tough to make, and a traumatic one for many of the affected staff, but was necessary in order to position the department’s staff closer to its key partners and stakeholders in the region.”
Of the 19-20 jobs likely to be lost from the local communities of New Plymouth, Whanganui and Turangi, Mr Coutts says 9 positions would remain in the new conservancy office, and these positions will be based in Taupo from July of next year. He says “It is important to understand that many of the positions disestablished as a result of the review announced yesterday have been relocated rather than disestablished altogether. This means staff will have the option to relocate to a service centre, or regain employment with the department in one of our area offices. However it still does represent a significant impact on our staff, and on the local economies of the affected towns, and that has not made the final decision any easier to make.”
Relocations are due to the establishment as part of the wider departmental review of three service centres in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, where service jobs will be created. “By moving the support staff from a regional base into professional groupings, the department would be able to provide more cost-effective systems and would gain a stronger national focus to its work” says Mr Coutts.

These service jobs include roles in legal, planning, science, technical and communication positions, but not rangers. “The department is committed to maintaining services on the ground, and this review has been focussed on finding more cost effective ways to organise DOC’s systems for supporting the work of staff out in the field”, Mr Coutts says.

“We want to maintain our conservation field work and we are keeping all our ranger positions – but we are making changes to the roles in our regional and national offices which support their work. In the past we’ve grouped our support systems by region, with additional back-up from our National Office in Wellington. This has led to some duplication and a regional rather than national focus for our work.”

Mr Coutts say “all staff with service positions would need to reapply for their jobs within the region or those available in other regions or the service centres. We can’t say exactly how many people will lose their jobs because we are still working through the options, such as redeployment, with our staff. We expect to finalise the situation over the next six months.

We have been assured:
that the management of the fishery will continue from Turangi.
that the operational staff will remain in Turangi

Trout Farming at Taupo?

1st September 2011

935 KairangaBunnythorpe Road  R D 5

Palmerston North. 4475

Ph 06-3571569

[email protected]

John Key 
Prime

Minister 
Parliament

Wellington
Trout Farming

 It has come to the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers’ notice that a request to allow 
trout farming has arisen from a Taupo group with Maori ancestry.
The source was a very 
reliable one so we have little doubt about its veracity. 
The Federation would find it ironic that such a suggestion might arise from a region 
where much of its economy and its tourism generation is based on the world famous wild 
trout fishery.
As you are Minister of Tourism we trust the significance of this will be immediately 
apparent. 
 The potential threats to the public’s trout fisheries from the impact of trout farming 
has been well documented. Poaching is a problem now particularly in the Taupo and Rotorua 
districts and commercializing trout by way of trout farming would escalate poaching 
further and result in black market practices.
The precedent is there with crayfish and 
Paua where the illegal catch is estimated to be around 25% of the annual harvest. 
 Disease is another factor where farms cram populations in order to maximize profits from 
a venture that has marginal and dubious economic value. Indeed trout farming has no 
economic export value and if any, would be a small fraction of the multi million-
dollar revenue generated by domestic and international tourist anglers.
We look forward to your immediate reply as to: – (a) Confirming such a request as come from the Taupo region. (b) That the National led government will not allow trout farming.
Yours Sincerely.

Jim Hale
 President 
NZFFA
cc Kate Wilkinson
 Fish and Game NZ

TROUT FARMING?

The apathy about this trout farming threat is sad.  Anglers lack of interest could inevitably result in trout farming becoming established – by stealth.

So here is some history for your consideration:

10 January  2010:        Federated Farmers wants the prohibition on commercial farming of trout to be lifted.
The organisation also wants a review of both the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish), to determine which is best placed to support aquaculture.  President Don Nicolson says Fed Farmers believes there is considerable scope for land based and freshwater aquaculture, including the farming of whitebait, fresh water mussels, eels as well as freshwater crayfish.  Even paua can be farmed in land-based operations as is done in Australia, he says.  “The one ‘no go’ area seems to be trout, which is odd, given trout is a member of the salmonidae family and there’s no qualms about farming salmon,” says Nicolson.  “Fly fishing tourism in Scotland seems completely unaffected by Loch Etive sea run trout sold in British supermarkets. That you can easily buy a salmon at a New World in Timaru, doesn’t stop people buying licenses in the hope of catching a wild one out of the Rangitata.”  Nicolson says the annual European Union harvest of farmed trout is 203,000 tonnes – just under half of NZ’s lamb exports and he questions why New Zealand isn’t farming trout as in the case of salmon.

13 November 2009:      National business Review article suggests the ban costs NZ millions in lost revenue.  Fish & Game New Zealand reaffirms its total opposition to any exclusive capture or commercialisation of the wild sports fish and game resource, and opposes any proposals to change the total ban in New Zealand on the farming of trout, and the importation of trout flesh into New Zealand.  “New Zealand’s freshwater anglers vehemently oppose any commercial trout farming in New Zealand,” said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive New Zealand Fish & Game Council.  “The risk of disease spreading to wild fisheries through imported stock, and the almost certain establishment of a black market and poaching of wild fisheries are real concerns.”  Fish & Game acknowledges the potential commercial value of farmed trout, but the overriding issue is the downstream cost to New Zealand world renowned trout fishery.  Commercial trout farming would provide the opportunity for some people to make a lot of money, but the potential damage to our wild fishery is significant.

12 February 2001:        Agriculture and Trade Minister Jim Sutton had suggested New Zealand must remove the ban on selling trout so Canada could import farmed trout into New Zealand. Prior to the last election Taupo Labour MP Mark Burton had put forward a private member’s bill strengthening the ban on selling trout because of the National government intentions to allow trout imports and inevitably trout farming.

In 1976, the first salmon farm was established at Pupu Springs, Tasman. Salmon were raised in fresh water, growing to 25 centimetres over two years. The venture was originally aimed at ocean ranching, where juvenile salmon would be released into the sea with the expectation that some would return as adults. But few did return, so the Pupu Springs facility was converted to a hatchery, supplying stock to sea farms.[14]

In 1983, the first sea-cage salmon farm was established in Big Glory Bay, Stewart Island. It was followed by farms in the Marlborough Sounds and at Akaroa, Banks Peninsula. These areas accounted for over 90 percent of the 8,500 tonnes of salmon produced in 2001.[14]

Today, New Zealand accounts for over half of the world production of king salmon (7,400 tonnes in 2005).[7]

PROPOSED NON-RESIDENT ANGLING LICENCE

Discussion Document

Prepared by the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game New Zealand

August 2010

Non-resident angling licence – Discussion document.
This paper discusses an option to establish a non-resident (i.e. not a New Zealand resident) sports fishing licence and charge a higher licence fee for non-resident anglers. A higher charge for non-residents is intended to reflect the limited contribution of international anglers to the management, and more intensive use, of New Zealand’s more-expensive-to-manage high-quality fisheries.

This paper has been jointly prepared by the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Fish and Game Council.

Summary

New Zealand’s high-quality backcountry sports fisheries are increasingly popular with dedicated non-resident anglers who visit New Zealand specifically to fish. These high-quality sports fisheries are a tourism drawcard, but will require enhanced management to avoid deterioration in quality.

There is concern dedicated non-resident (international) anglers are, as a group, disproportionately impacting the sports fish resources in these waterways but not contributing to the long-term management of the resource in the same way as resident anglers.

Differential charges between resident and non-resident anglers are common overseas and are designed to address inconsistencies in the contribution to the management of the resource between the two groups.

Any non-resident licence needs to be carefully designed in order to avoid indirect discrimination or conflict with New Zealand’s international trade and service obligations.

Notwithstanding this, there is a case for charging non-residents an elevated fee that reflects the value placed on the fishery by non-resident anglers and the more costly management required to maintain the high-quality fisheries they favour.

Background

Dedicated international anglers coming to New Zealand to fish typically target high-quality sports-fisheries, notably sensitive backcountry fisheries. In these fisheries international anglers, as a group, are having a disproportionately large impact compared to resident anglers; yet they do not contribute to the long-term management of these fisheries in the same way as resident New Zealand anglers, as they are usually one-off licence purchasers. Fish and Game Councils indicate non-resident anglers typically use these sports fisheries more intensively, generally fish longer days than residents and fish every day for the duration of their typically 14 to 21 day stay, compared to resident anglers who may only average 4 to 6 days in a whole season. Non-resident anglers are therefore having a greater impact on, while contributing less to the management of, these high-quality fisheries than most New Zealand resident anglers.

To resolve this problem, the following objectives are proposed:
• maintain and enhance New Zealand’s high-quality sports fisheries through improved management
• recognise the proportion of angling pressure exerted, the management costs incurred, and the transitory nature of contributions made by visiting international anglers
• establish a fee structure that better reflects the value placed on the New Zealand sports fishery by international anglers

New Zealand context

New Zealand has a reputation for high-quality brown and rainbow trout fisheries and is renowned for unspoiled fishing for trophy-sized fish. Trout fishing is used as ‘iconic’ imagery for tourism (eg. 100% pure, airline magazines and agent brochures) and commercial market promotion (eg. Telecom, Rodd & Gun). A number of South Island waters also provide for salmon fishing.

Anyone wishing to go freshwater sports fishing in New Zealand is required to purchase a licence (unless they are the lawful occupier of any land, or waters within such land where they will be fishing). A licence issued by Fish and Game Councils allows an angler access to all New Zealand freshwater sports fisheries, except Taupo. The Taupo fishery is administered by the Department of Conservation and a separate licence is required to fish the lakes and rivers in the Taupo District.

For all sports fisheries, licence attributes are set through Licences, Fees and Forms Notices issued under the authority of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989. Each notice is signed by the Minister of Conservation and administered by the Department of Conservation. The notice fixes the forms and classes of licence; their scope and effect; the regions in which they may be used; and the fees. The classes of licence and corresponding fees for the Taupo Fishery are set by the Minister of Conservation in concurrence with the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board.

In July 1999 Fish and Game Councils noted the increasing popularity of New Zealand’s high quality fisheries with dedicated international anglers. The 2007/08 National Angling Survey illustrates a marked preference amongst international anglers for backcountry and headwater river fisheries. These fisheries accounted for 41.0% of international anglers’ total effort, compared to 9.4% for their New Zealand counterparts . Currently, in some of New Zealand’s key backcountry fisheries, over 50% of the angling days are taken up by international anglers .

International anglers accounted for 7.6% (4176 out of a total of 54416) of adult whole season or family licences and 25.8% (5923 out of a total of 22921) of adult 24 hour licences in the 2009/2010 season (from the Fish and Game national licence database, excluding Southland’s retail sales).

Examples from overseas

Overseas, particularly in the USA and Canada, it is routine for non-resident anglers to pay a licence fee significantly higher than resident anglers to fish in the majority of significant freshwater fisheries. Many visiting anglers fishing in New Zealand, particularly US anglers, express surprise at paying the same licence fee as resident anglers. In the USA and Canada licence fees for non-residents cost 1.5 to 6.6 times the fee for residents (but more typically non-resident licences are two to three times the cost of a resident licence).

In many instances where differential fishing licence fees are charged internationally the fisheries management is at least in part subsidised by local taxes (resident licence fees in the USA and Canada are generally less than in NZ). Higher fees for non-residents are justified on the basis of non-residents being able to take advantage of a benefit they have not paid for, but residents have.

Another feature of the US system, absent in New Zealand, are additional federal receipts from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly known as Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux funds (DJ/WB). These are generated from an excise tax on sport fishing equipment and marine fuels used by recreational boaters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distributes these funds to all states based on the number of sport fishing licences sold and the size (land mass) of the state. Alaska receives the maximum share of DJ/WB funds which must be used to manage and improve sport fisheries and provide access to boating sites.

New Zealand sports fisheries management

In New Zealand freshwater sports fisheries management is paid for through fishing licence fees, without additional public funding. Currently fishing licence fees cover administration and management of the resource only. A system that can be argued is fair for New Zealanders who have a share in this ownership, but undervalues the resource to visitors.

Many resident anglers contribute substantial voluntary and long-term efforts to the management and protection of the sports fish resource. Resident anglers who have bought licences over a number of years feel they have made a substantial and consistent contribution to the management of the fishery. They also contribute, as tax and rate payers, to environmental research, freshwater ecosystem management, monitoring and public access. Some resident anglers have also served as members of Fish and Game Councils (and the former Acclimatisation Societies). Fish and Game Councils seek to protect the quality of the sports fishing experience through their involvement in resource allocation and habitat protection processes for fresh water. Only New Zealand residents can be Fish and Game Council members and they provide this service voluntarily, with no fees paid to them.

Non-resident anglers do not contribute to the management of the resource in this manner but are able to enjoy the benefits of this activity carried out and managed by NZ resident licence holders.

There is, therefore, a case for charging non-resident anglers a higher licencing fee in order to more accurately reflect the differing costs accrued and benefits obtained by resident and non-resident anglers in New Zealand.

International anglers

Non-resident anglers comprise two main groups:
a visitors that use less-sensitive lake fisheries for single or several-day fishing experience as a minor or incidental part of their New Zealand holiday. This group includes the charter boat party or casual angler who seeks to sample many New Zealand experiences, including fishing. Most of these effectively pay a premium through the purchase of a short-term licence and are not intended to be the focus of differential licence fees.
b dedicated international anglers who come to New Zealand specifically to fish for one to six weeks, attracted by the high-quality experience available in this country, and frequently target pressure-sensitive backcountry fisheries. This numerically smaller but relatively higher impact group is the focus of this paper.

According to Fish & Game New Zealand’s 2007/08 National Angler Survey (NAS), visiting international anglers showed a strong preference for South Island waters and an equally strong preference for river fisheries as opposed to lake fisheries. In absolute terms their most frequently fished region was Southland. However, when expressed as a proportion of the total effort expended within each fishing region by all anglers, the contribution from overseas visitors was most significant in the Nelson/Marlborough and West Coast regions, where visiting international anglers accounted for over 15% of the total fishing effort.

Managing New Zealand’s high quality sports fisheries

Backcountry (including headwater) fisheries are one class of high quality fishery favoured by international anglers. According to the 2007/08 National Angler Survey (NAS) backcountry fisheries attracted 51.35% of non-resident anglers compared to 16.7% of all resident anglers.

Backcountry fisheries are characteristically small bodies of water with limited numbers of often trophy-sized fish in them. Despite many backcountry anglers practicing catch and release fishing, maintenance of quality angling experiences on these fisheries requires active management.

Angler density in the backcountry is closely related to angler satisfaction and increased angler density can adversely impact on angler enjoyment in what is perceived as a high-quality recreational environment if not managed.

Currently there are nine designated backcountry fisheries fisheries (the Greenstone including the Caples, Dingle Burn, Lochy, Nevis, Hunter, Young and Wilkin rivers in Otago, the Ettrick Burn in Southland and the Upper Rangitikei in Wellington). These require a separate backcountry licence as an endorsement to a whole season licence. There is no additional fee attached to these licences. Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Council also considered introducing a separate backcountry licence for its key fisheries but monitoring costs made it unaffordable.

Defining waters as backcountry fisheries triggers an intensification of management to maintain angling quality. At the most intensive level, a booking system may need to be established to ensure anglers enjoy a high quality angling experience. This has been successfully done on Otago’s Greenstone River and surveys show that angler satisfaction with the fishery is higher than adjacent, less intensively managed, fisheries.

In addition to backcountry fisheries, New Zealand also has many lower reaches of its rivers and streams, commonly referred to as lowland waterways, which flow into lakes that command similar attention from dedicated anglers. Rivers like the Mataura and Oreti in Southland, the Rangitata in Central South Island, Motueka in Nelson/Marlborough and Tukituki in Hawke’s Bay are examples.

Management costs for many quality fisheries (particularly, but not exclusively, sensitive backcountry fisheries) increase markedly as angling pressure increases. Associated management issues include increased crowding, disturbance of wilderness values by helicopters, angler displacement and the effects of fishing pressure on fish.

The remote location and difficulty accessing many high quality backcountry fisheries incur greater costs than the accessible lowland fisheries. For example, in order for Fish and Game to survey the Travers River, that flows into Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes, it was necessary to employ specialist staff for a summer season and house them on site. This involved flying in a hut by helicopter and frequent use of vehicles and boats for access (estimated cost approximately $30,000).

As a further example, the operational costs to manage/administer Otago’s Greenstone fishery are:
• signage $1408.00
• printing $2288.66
• temporary staff salaries (compliance monitoring) $2304.00
• helicopter transport $1511.12
• hut fees and provisions $2340.91
• advertising $ 314.00
• Total $10,166.69
This does not include staff time and overhead costs which are estimated at $20,000 p.a.

Southland Fish and Game Council also notes it spends significantly more time dealing with non-resident angler requests for information and emails, than resident anglers, as they plan their visits. There is also a greater demand from non-residents for brochures on angler access and other information material.

Surveys indicate that usage by resident anglers is relatively constant or even declining in some high-quality fisheries, while international angler usage continues to increase . There is anecdotal evidence in some instances where the increase in international angler usage is displacing New Zealand anglers – anglers who are no longer willing to ‘compete’ in the belief that the quality of experience is diminishing due to increasing use from international anglers.

A non-resident fishing licence

The intention of a non-resident fishing licence is to better provide resources to manage New Zealand’s high-value fisheries more intensively (including by improving monitoring of fish stocks, spawning, rearing and recruitment, angler use, harvest and satisfaction), rather than to control the use of rivers.

Potential benefits of establishing a non-resident fishing licence include:
• improved management and monitoring of New Zealand’s high value-freshwater sports fisheries.
• helping overcome the stigma attached to visiting international anglers held by some New Zealand anglers who believe they are ‘free-loading’ on an asset they have had no part in creating or maintaining.
• reducing the burden on resident New Zealand anglers of managing high-value fisheries.
• establishing a fee structure that is more consistent with the importance placed on high-value freshwater fisheries by dedicated international anglers.

The proposal to charge non-resident anglers must be justified on the grounds of non-resident use of the fishery incurring increased costs in order to avoid being discriminatory or possibly cutting across international trade agreements. A differentially priced licence represents an important management tool to foster equality, thereby allaying local fears of local anglers that non-resident anglers are taking advantage of New Zealand’s high-quality sports fisheries that have been introduced, nurtured and safeguarded by generations of local anglers.

Introduction of a non-resident fishing licence will add a minor degree of administrative complexity to the licencing process. One possible approach is to require all anglers purchasing a licence to sign a declaration stating whether they are resident or non-resident according to specified criteria. While such an approach relies on a degree of honesty, it does limit the potential for any inadvertent discrimination.

The Income Tax Act 2007 No 97 YD 1 defines a New Zealand resident as someone who has a permanent abode in New Zealand (regardless of whether they also have a permanent place of abode elsewhere) and/or someone who is in New Zealand for more than 183 days in total in a 12-month period. A person treated as a New Zealand resident after being present in New Zealand for 183 days in a 12-month period stops being a New Zealand resident if they are personally absent from New Zealand for more than 325 days in total in a 12-month period. This non-resident definition could be adopted for the purposes of the non-resident fishing licence.

Under such an approach there will be no additional enforcement burden as rangers in the field will still simply be required to check that anglers hold an appropriate licence – regardless of whether it is a resident or non-resident licence.

Fish & Game NZ indicates that many international anglers, particularly those from the USA, recognise the case for a differentiated fee as long as the fees are directed to the management of the resource. However, many Australian anglers object to the existing fees required in New Zealand, and a non-resident licence with differential charges might be met with resistance from this group.

Examples of differential fee structures

Public fisheries in the USA require anglers to pay licence fees, with differential pricing for in-state and out-of-state fishing licences. A non-resident angler visiting Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, and Montana (normal in a three week itinerary) will pay a short-term licence fee in each State which is significantly greater than that charged to residents of each State; and a resident of Wyoming who is a serious angler will, in each trout season, commonly visit several other states paying a non-resident fee in each case. In every case these fees are set to recognise the investment made by the State and its residents in the fishery, and can be seen to be a fee for use (providing for current and future management costs).

Proposal

Establish a non-resident sports fishing licence fee that is higher than the licence for NZ resident anglers as a means of ensuring a more equitable contribution by non-resident anglers to the development and maintenance of New Zealand’s high quality sports fisheries.

The target of this proposal is the dedicated international angler (i.e. the visitor who comes to New Zealand specifically to fish for sports fish in a world-class wild sports fishery). This proposal is not intended to address the visitor who fishes casually while in New Zealand, who can still do so through the purchase of 24 hour licences.

A non-resident licence with a higher fee will enable improved management of high quality fisheries and better reflect the additional benefit non-resident anglers derive from the voluntary efforts and long-term contributions of resident anglers, as well as offsetting the additional cost incurred from international angler’s more intensive targeting of these fisheries.

Criteria for such a licence could include:
• A non-resident Adult Whole Season licence (of the same duration as the existing Adult Whole Season licence)
• A licence fee of two to three times the current annual resident adult whole season licence fee. The appropriate level for a non-resident licence fee needs careful consideration, but analysis of North American examples suggest this may be appropriate .
• The additional money from a non-resident licence to be collected by Fish and Game councils, as the fisheries manager, for ongoing management of the resource (with the exception of Taupo, if this is to be included, where it would be used by the Department of Conservation for on-going management of the Taupo Fishery).

24 hour licences are more price sensitive, with the more casual non-resident angler likely to purchase this type of licence already effectively paying a premium. 24 hour licences are not proposed to be subject to differential fees.

Under section 48A(1)c of the Conservation Act 1989, special regulations relating to freshwater fisheries, the Governor-General may by Order in Council make regulations “prescribing the forms and classes of licences to fish for freshwater fish or sports fish and licences to operate as a sports fishing guide, and providing for the issue of such licences and for the disposal of fees for such licences and of fines recovered under this Act”

Any additional charge for non-residents must be justified on the grounds of an additional cost imposed, or benefit enjoyed, by non-resident anglers versus resident anglers to avoid constituting indirect discrimination under Section 65 of the Human Rights Act 1993.

Similarly, in order to ensure consistency with Section 19 of the Bill of Rights Act 1990 it must be considered a reasonable limit in terms of section 5 of the Bill of Rights Act 1990.

Implications for New Zealand’s international trade and service agreements require careful consideration as well. Because individuals, and not service providers (i.e. tourism/fishing operators), are required to obtain licences it is unlikely there would be a breach of “national treatment” (i.e. the non-discrimination obligation to provide no less favourable treatment to foreign services and service suppliers than accorded to New Zealand services and service suppliers) which NZ has committed to under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and free trade agreements. Foreign and local tourism operators would equally be required to obtain licences (albeit for differing fees) for all anglers (local or foreign) in their tour parties.

As an indication, if we take the figures from the 2007/08 NAS, 5,400 Adult Whole Season (AWS) licences were purchased by non-resident anglers. Assuming an non-resident fee of two times the current AWS licence fee ($226, or $113 more than a resident AWS) this is likely to create an additional $610,200 of revenue for the management of New Zealand’s high quality fisheries. In the 2009/10 season 4,176 AWS licences were sold to international anglers, which would have yielded an additional $555,408. This additional revenue would allow Fish and Game councils to improve access, assess and manage angler satisfaction, and better protect habitats as required.

Risks

Risks of persisting with the status quo include:
• A deterioration in the quality of New Zealand’s premiere sports fisheries and reduced quality of angling experience, resulting in lower international angler (tourism) numbers.
• continued and increasing ill feeling amongst the local angling community that international anglers are taking unfair advantage of a resource they have played little part in fostering.

Risks associated with adopting a differentially priced non-resident licence include:
• reduced tourism, although given the size of the proposed increase, and the substantial investment international anglers make to travel to fish in New Zealand, this is likely to be minor (it could be argued be that the perceived increase in the quality of the fishing resource may in fact attract more high-end anglers to New Zealand).
• differential pricing for non-residents may constitute indirect discrimination under Section 65 of the Human Rights Act 1993 unless it is clearly demonstrated to be recovering an additional cost imposed by providing non-resident anglers with the same service as resident anglers.
• any implications for New Zealand’s international trade and service obligations need to be carefully considered.

Have your say

We are interested to hear your views on the necessity and appropriate design for a non-resident licence.
• Do you support establishing a higher licence fee for non-resident anglers? Why/why not?
• In your view, will the proposed licence deliver on the proposed objectives?
• Is it also appropriate to introduce a non-resident licence for the Taupo fishery?
• What is the appropriate level for a non-resident licence fee?

Please respond by 5pm Friday 30 September to:

[email protected]

Trout poachers caught in act

Press Release by Eastern Fish & Game  at  2:56 pm, 29 Aug 2011
Fish & Game Officers carrying out checks at a local Rotorua Trout spawning stream on Friday afternoon (26th August) located and apprehended 2 men aged 17 and 40 yrs, and a 17 year old woman, who had allegedly been poaching spawning trout. The trio were found in possession of a net, and a total of 25 freshly killed rainbow trout.

Enquiries into this matter are continuing and the trio will face charges in relation to this incident.

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp says it is very disappointing to see trout poaching on such a scale, and the taking of spawning trout in numbers such as this, combined with disturbance commonly caused by poachers to spawning grounds can have a serious impact on trout fisheries in the long term.

“It is vital that people keep out of spawning streams, and leave trout alone to spawn undisturbed, as the long term viability and success of trout fisheries depends on this”.

Fish & Game issue a reminder and warning that trout poachers caught will be charged and face penalties of up to 12 months in prison, and fines of up to $10,000.

And a reminder: Our poaching hot-line is 0800 Poaching (0800 762 244)