Apologies for the delay. It’s certainly an interesting story.

The Trout Centre has a licence to shoot a protected species to protect an introduced species, which could be viewed as rather odd by some, but “depredation” is the term used around the world in the past. My understanding is that several DOC rangers held a special license to utilise the “shaganator” to deter predation of the fish in the children’s fishing pond. The reality of that, however, was altogether different, as using a firearm in a public space posed a risk, so in fact it was rarely deployed.

Historically (early to mid 1900s), there were programmes to eradicate the 4 shag species around the lake. Anglers in the area detest the predatory behaviour of the species.  By the early 1950s, though, this practice ceased.

Imagine, then, that you are one of the Taupō region’s 4 native species of shag. You are a shallow water diver of some skill, requiring you to have wettable waders and an ability to “fly” underwater. You work hard all day in the rivers and lakes, chasing trout fry, bullies, and koura, in between times spending long periods with wings outstretched to dry off those wet wings. One day, you happen to be airborne over the Tongariro Trout Centre kids’ fish-out pond. A veritable Shag smorgasbord! Up to 4000 perfectly sized, well-fed morsels trapped in a shallow pond! You would hang around, wouldn’t you?

Indeed Shags have learned fast of the ease the pond provides and can be seen sitting in the trees surrounding the pond, ready to pounce. Much of this activity occurs outside of open hours. CC TV shows the action. We also find regurgitated trout around the perimeter. The issue for the centre is not so much the loss of trout to these intelligent birds, but that their actions make the fish very wary and spooky, making them less likely to be hooked, which frustrates volunteer anglers trying to assist our young visitors in catching a fish.

Over the past year, other deterrent methods have been employed. A mannequin was installed poolside. Despite the fact that I still start when I see it, the birds very quickly learned that it did not move and posed no threat. The previous manager, Bevin Severenson, also trialled a high-powered laser setup with moderate success.

And so the issue remains. Shags get their tasty treats, anglers grow frustrated, and Doc and the centre continue exploring options.

As a side note, these birds are mainly known as “shags” here in NZ (the rest of the world uses “cormorant”), and I have had more than one eyebrow raised when discussing a shag with visitors from overseas, especially the UK!