Auckland / Waikato News> February 2009

AUCKLAND/WAIKATO FISH & GAME NEWSBRIEF - February 2009

If you require further elaboration or clarification of items contained herein, or any other matters relating to F&GC business, please don’t hesitate to contact your local ward councillor or the office

Matters Arising from Council Meeting of 21 February 2009

1. Concern expressed that unnecessary and impractical monitoring requirements being sought by EW could see opportunity for restoration works on the Council’s Eastern Whangamarino wetland threatened.

2. Repair works on the Whangamarino weir due to commence shortly, completion date anticipated as second week in April 2009, unfortunately like the works on Council’s Eastern Whangamarino block impractical resource consent condition requirements have added another $40,000 to the cost of work on the weir – an issue DoC and ourselves will be taking up with EW Chief Executive.

Matters Arising from the Chief Executives Report

1. Recent drift dives disclose high numbers of large trout with over 50 legal-sized fish per km in Mangatutu Stream with reasonable number of juveniles.  Waihou River also shows very high numbers of small and medium (30-40cm rainbows) with an average year for larger trout. 

2. In all some 3,000 ducks banded this year with invaluable assistance provided by those Councillors and volunteers who have helped us with the exercise.

3. Annual trend flights for paradise shelduck, black swan, and Canada geese undertaken disclosing Canadian goose numbers while up on last year are still down considerably on the previous four years, however we are receiving reports of Canadian geese in areas not seen previously, possibly as a consequence of last year’s drought.  Black swan numbers in the western harbours and lower Waikato lakes also slightly up but well down on the early 2000’s, however there still appears to be around 6,000 on the Kaipara.  Paradise shelduck numbers in the King Country are about the same as last year, however the last two year’s have been the lowest since 1990 – elsewhere numbers are still on the increase.

4. Ten returns received from tagged fish released into lakes Arapuni & Karapiro last year, with one of the Karapiro fish caught in the Waikato River.  These were fish released in May last year at about 12cm and are currently 25-42cm. 

5. Submissions made on proposed zoning changes for South Waikato DC - our concern centres on the proliferation of lifestyle blocks impinging on the current recreational use of the area, especially by waterfowl hunters.

6. Approval given for a small run-of-the-river hydro scheme bypassing the waterfalls and steep rapids in the lower reaches of the Taumangahau Stream a tributary of the Mangaotaki River.

7. Plans to develop Council’s Aka Aka block in conjunction with Winstones has been put on hold as a consequence of the economic downturn and quite extreme requirements relative to environmental impact assessments and the like.

8. Attended meeting of Waipa Lakes Accord (of which Council is a founding member) with it again recognised that continuing dairy farm conversions (permissible in both district and regional plans) are continuing to degrade peat lakes in the area.

9. Meeting attended regarding shallow lake restoration and techniques and options available for lake restoration.

Whangape Wetland 1080 Drop:  Despite informing us that everything would be clear by the start of the duck shooting season, EPRO have just advised that the caution period on the 1080 drop over some 350ha of the Whangape Wetland will remain in place until at least 16 May 2009.  If you would like to express your displeasure then Dave Hodges at Environment Waikato, 0800 800 401 or email david.hodges@ew.govt.nz is the person to contact. 

Remits for 2009 District Anglers Notice
Remits due back in office by 6 March 2009.

Gamebird Habitat Trust (ie. monies from the Duck Stamp that gamebird hunters buy) is now open to receive applications for the 2009 year – Closing date it 30 June 2009.  Application forms available from the Fish & Game website  www.fishandgame.org.nz  or at our office.