Fishing News index > February 2007

North Canterbury News Round-up

Salmon Enhancement Program
60,000 salmon continue to grow well at Montrose along with approximately 40,000 rainbow trout. Seven salmon went through the Montrose Stream to the settling pond before the barrier and trap were installed.  This is one month earlier than has been previously seen.

Salmon – commercial by-catch
The Fish & Game salmon verifier programme started in December 06, using a paid verifier. There has been very little fishing activity in the Salmon Conservation Area and the few trips that have taken place have resulted in a minimal by-catch of salmon. The programme finished on 14 February 07.

Lake Coleridge Salmon Releases
Staff and Volunteers transferred 40,000 x 22 gram salmon smolts from Silverstream to Lake Coleridge in mid December. These were donated by NIWA as they were surplus to their requirements.

Regulations
The 2007 Gamebird hunting regulations have been finalised and sent to the National Office. Changes to the regulations are: extension to the Canada goose hunting season in area A, no limit on the number of dabbling ducks decoys during the first week of the hunting season and extension of pheasant hunting season to two consecutive days.

Resource Consents

Central Plains Water
In January, Jason lodged a submission in opposition to all land use consent applications, and seeking that the designation application be withdrawn. We are still yet to be informed of a joint hearing date.

Ngai Tahu Property Ltd
The long-running appeal of Ngai Tahu Property Ltd’s proposed water intake at Browns Rock on the Waimakariri River will continue until at least March. A mediation workshop held in early December proved to be a fruitless exercise, with no progress being made to resolve our concerns. In mid-December, Jason worked with Ngai Tahu Property Ltd towards an agreement which will see two fish experts present a joint statement of evidence to the next stage of mediation in March. It is hoped this joint statement will give both parties sufficient clarity to agree on conditions which will suitably protect salmonid fry from being sucked into, or entrapped upon, the fish screen.

P&E Ltd
In February Jason lodged a submission in opposition to this proposed 480 l/s take of Waimakariri River water at or about Bleakhouse Corner. While this is not a lot of water in the context of the Waimakariri, it is difficult to believe any more water could possibly be allocated from the Waimakariri given the amount of water currently allocated, or that could potentially be allocated in the near future. Aside from the cumulative effects of the take, concerns were also raised about the proposed fish screening, and effects of river works, structures, discharges and movement of water up the river terrace.

Boggy Creek
Over December and January a keen local supporter of Boggy Creek spent 5 weeks of his holidays removing willows which were encroaching into the middle of the wetland. This gentleman, who would probably prefer not to be named, did this without seeking any recompense other than to cover the costs of herbicide which he needed to complete the job. This effort was greatly appreciated by staff.

Young Angler Training
Staff and volunteers transferred 100 x 0.75 kg salmon from Montrose to the Groynes in mid December. After a dramatic drop in the water level at the top fishing lake, staff have cleaned the access canal which was overgrown with willow roots.

Canada Goose Culls
Staff, Volunteers and Rangers carried out a cull of 974 geese on the Christchurch Estuary on the 5th January. A cull of 1,936 geese was carried out the following day on Lake Ellesmere. At each site 100 geese were marked with stock paint (red paint at the Estuary, yellow paint at Ellesmere) and released in an effort to establish flight dispersal after moulting.

The Bromley Farm Canada goose hunting program has re-started.  Teams of hunters led by experienced team leaders will have access to the farm once a week during February, March and April and once a fortnight during September, October and November.  Staff have convened a meeting of team leaders and formed teams of hunters for the first three months of the hunting program.

Phone Surveys
Around 500 anglers are being phoned weekly to gather information on angler catch and effort in relation to river flow, to help combat increasing pressure for water abstraction in the region. 

General Habitat
Staff distributed another round of Didymo spray kits and promotional material to licence agents and angling clubs.  Ross Millichamp has attended regular regional didymo management meetings to coordinate the activities of Fish & Game, Doc, Meridian Energy and Environment Canterbury.

Staff have investigated reports of dead fish at the Kaiapoi Lakes.  A large number of big tench and perch were found dead in the landscaped lake.  Environment Canterbury investigating the  cause of this fish poisoning event.

Staff have worked with staff from CCC and DoC to address a spate of illegal fish transfers.  Tench have been found in two sites in which they previously did not exist, and are very likely to be the result of an illegal release. 

Angling Reports
Staff have continued to record weekly fishing reports which are broadcast on News Talk ZB a number of times each Friday afternoon. These reports have also been emailed to over 4,000 anglers on our database. Daily river flows and fishing conditions information are also left on the Fish & Game answer phone.

Angler Hunter Relations
Staff and honorary rangers are organising the Ranger’s Trophy fishing competition which will be held in early March.  This is held at the Waimakariri Rivermouth and was formerly organised by Laurie and Allison Adams.

Statutory Liaison
F&G Officer Ross assisted Forest & Bird and DoC staff with jet boat transport for bird surveys on the Hurunui, Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers.  Ross Millichamp has met with staff from Environment Canterbury, DoC, and Linz to discuss the recent surge in the number of people making claims for AMF rights and accretion, which has implications for public access to the braided riverbeds.

Landowner Liaison
Ross Millichamp has acted as a finals judge in the Canterbury Balance Farm Environment Awards in 2007 and continues to sit on the Management Committee.

Public Relations
Jason and Davor hosted a group of kids and their families on a bus trip for World Wetlands Day 2007. This event is held in conjunction with DOC every year on 2nd February, with assistance this year from the Ornithological Society, Environment Canterbury, and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu..

This year’s trip was similar to the 2006 event, with a bus trip stopping at Yarrs Flat at Lake Ellesmere and then Coes Ford on the Selwyn River. It is worth noting the different baseflows at Coes Ford – about 60 l/s on 2nd February 2006, versus 850 l/s on 2nd February 2007!   

Prosecution
Luke McGuigan pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and was fined a total of $420.  The Honorary Ranger involved was Tony Mottashed.

February 9, 2007
Ross Millichamp
Regional Manager