Questions often come in waves? In one week we had three different (but the same?) requests for more info on what prospective guests can expect in Turangi.
One angler was asking questions supposedly for his wife who was trying to decide whether to come with him or not?
(We have to be careful what we say as some might be twisting the reply to convince the wife to stay at home?)
Second was from West Island fishing club members coming to Turangi for the first time. They were on their annual fly fishing trip and as they had chosen to try the North Island and fish in the Tongariro magic instead of battling South Island wilderness rivers, it was important we convince them for future trips too.
Third was from an American angler who wanted to use TRM as his fishing base for three months next summer and needed more info about what else is on offer locally.
So we combined some TRM library photos with a guest’s drone images to illustrate and asked Hannah – TRM’s guide – to put them together on ‘YouTube’ to illustrate the special ‘feeling’ of some of Turangi attractions and facilities within a five minute walk of TRM. Easy peasy. Turangi’s facilities were designed to cater for a much larger town so we are quite spoilt really.
We had to add the corporate box at the footy (at top) image even though it is more than a five minute walk – more of a five minute drive – as it reflects the character of the relaxed friendly informality of a heartland NZ town.
We hope the slide-show-video answered all their questions on what Turangi has to offer…
1080 debate continued…
Further to the 1080 rant yesterday several have asked TRM not to be so biased and to post the other side of the argument – below…
http://www.pce.parliament.nz/media/1294/evaluating-the-use-of-1080.pdf
Louie’s rant was also posted on TRM facebook to encourage comment and received the following response from David:
David Mole-man Some of these anti-1080 comments are bordering on ridiculous Ross! I’m not here to argue the pros and cons of 1080. I’ll leave that for people who know more about it than myself and Louie the Fish (e.g. people who write peer reviewed papers in respected scientific publications).
I know you are fighting the good fight, and I usually enjoy reading your daily report. But please at least post articles that are unbiased, informative and have decent credible information, not an incredibly biased, unsubstantiated rant from a local with an agenda. (Apologies to Louie, I’m sure he’s a nice guy, and if he wants I’ll buy him a beer in the Turangi Tavern next time I’m up and debate all of this)
Regarding the first comment. First of all, I know a lot of DoC biodiversity, trapping, and pest control surveys are carried out by volunteers (e.g. locals who care about the environment) under the guidance of a local DoC ranger. So what he is saying that some random forestry workers started following around DoC staff (or volunteers) on a pest control survey and followed them around so closely that they could “firsthand” witness them enter incorrect results – really?? My guess is that the average forestry worked has very little understanding of survey methodologies, transects and data collection to be able to understand what the significance of any data collected by field staff anyway.
Or alternatively they may have heard field staff yelling out “no possums here mate, let’s just make up some numbers!” – very unlikely. And most obviously, this is a complete contradiction to the whole anti-1080 argument, that 1080 kills absolutely everything it comes in contact with, including “the disturbing decline of the whole aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem”. So it can destroy the whole aquatic ecosystem but not possums?
No more green and brown beetles, and no cicadas!!?? Where were he this summer?! Sorry don’t know much about frogs, but I’m sure my comments below will apply.
The third comment says that an accidental drop of 1080 in the lake 7 to 8 years ago is responsible for the decline of galaxids, bullies and smelt. Apologies, I don’t know the history of the accidental drop in the lake so correct me if what I write is wrong.
Firstly, DoC usually contracts out aerial 1080 drops to local helicopter contractors. So it is very unlikely this was a DoC mistake, but actually a mistake by “Bazza the helicopter pilot from down the road”. Ironically, this is probably the same “Bazza” who takes hunters and anglers up into the local hills.
Secondly, I’m not denying declining numbers of freshwater fauna, and reduction of trout size. I’m sure there is some research out there confirming this. The loss of freshwater fauna is probably attributed to a lot of things, and is probably extremely complex. Taupo is an extremely large lake, and I really doubt a single heli drop of 1080 would have such an adverse effect. I’d take a guess that climate change is a large driver in the declining numbers. The warmer winters are likely to prevent thermal mixing of the lake, meaning the lake stays more stratified during winter and prevents upwelling of zoo and phytoplankton into the shallows, which is what smelt and bullies need in order to eat.
As for reduction of trout size, I’d imagine this would be the result of a number of things too, including:
– Volcanic activity (ash clogging waterways)
– Hydro / energy production reducing river flows; silt aggredation causing poor conditions for freshwater invertebrates (e.g trout food)
– “Flood protection works” (your favourite topic) destroying large sections and spawning areas on the Tongariro River
– Excessive killing of mature and large trout (an argument for another day) reducing quality of the gene pool
– Limited food supply
Last I heard the trout size and condition was on the increase (even with all the recent 1080 drops and increased 1080 usage??), and from what I’ve read average trout size has fluctuated in the past, well before 1080 was introduced.
I’m not even going to bother on the last comments as they are complete hearsay.
Rise up and revolt!
Ban unsubstantiated and biased information!
Cheers
David (a proud owner of a lucky green TRM hat)