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[Kiwithrottlejockey]

Don't squabble, whitebaiters warned

By JARROD BOOKER - The New Zealand Herald | Wednesday, 15 August 2007



WHITEBAIT SEASON: Anne Collins on the banks
of the Waimakariri River near Christchurch ready
for the start of the whitebaiting season.
— SIMON BAKER

The scramble for the delicacy has a long history of disputes over closely guarded fishing spots, leading to arguments, threats, sabotage of equipment, and sometimes violence.

The first whitebait of the season goes on sale in Auckland this week, and the Auckland Fish Market expects it to sell for between $77 and $90 a kilogram.

Restaurants are also looking forward to the first whitebait of the season. The chef and owner of Vinnies Restaurant in Herne Bay, Geoff Scott, said he was "always keen to get into that as soon as the first batch comes through". His classic "omelette-sized" whitebait fritter will sell for $28 to $30.

On the West Coast, where people flock in from around the country for the high quality of the fish, tensions between whitebaiters run high.

Last year a man fired a gun at whitebaiters setting up nets in a creek near Westport.

In 2003, the Grey District Council considered regulations after disputes over whitebaiting positions on the Grey River and alleged threats of retaliation from Christchurch gang members.

"There's always something somewhere. There's just so many whitebaiters coming to the Coast," said Jim Bushby, president of the West Coast Whitebaiters Association.

"There's a lot of tension especially if there are not a lot of whitebait around. I think it's just pettiness really. A lot of them need to grow up."

People from outside the region often came in with no knowledge of the local rules and this could upset the local whitebaiters, Mr Bushby said.

At up to $65 a kilogram in the early part of the season, whitebaiters often saw the chance to make a quick buck.

West Coast police commander Inspector Iain McKenzie said people needed to use common sense.

"In the past there have sometimes been minor problems that have escalated. We are just trying to ensure people respect people's rights and privacy, and people's property, and hopefully we won't be called in.

"A few people spoil it for the majority."

The Department of Conservation said whitebaiters should stick to the rules and enforcement officers would patrol fishing sites.

DoC says whitebaiters should be careful not to carry didymo, or other aquatic pests, between rivers.

All equipment should be cleaned and dried between use in different rivers.

Rules for a fine feed:

• The whitebaiting season begins today and runs until November 30.
• But on the West Coast the season is September 01 to November 14, and on the Chatham Islands from December 01 to February 29.
• No person can use more than one whitebait net at a time.
• People breaching whitebaiting regulations can be fined up to $5000.

Authorities are urging whitebaiters to avoid confrontation with rivals as the eagerly awaited fishing season starts today.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10457785


Whitebaiting for a lost father

By LAWRENCE GULLERY - Hawke's Bay Today | Wednesday, 15 August 2007



OPENING DAY: Whitebait specialist Steven Wilkins
checks his net after scooping the waters of the
Ngaruroro River. — WARREN BUCKLAND

Steven Wilkins and Michael White know what it takes to make a good whitebait fritter.

"You just throw the whitebait in with a bit of egg, into a frying pan, and cook it up like an omelette," Michael said.

The two mates were at the Ngaruroro River mouth about 7.30am today scanning for the best spot for the start of the whitebait season.

The river was dotted with prospective whitebaiters, but Steven and Michael weren't saying where the best spots were.

"No, we can't say, it's a secret! But as long as you're here early enough to get a spot, I suppose that's all that matters," Steven said.

What is so special about whitebait, which lures dozens of men to the river's edge each year?

"You've never tasted one before? It's the taste of the whitebait and the season is only for two to three months of the year, that's why we're here," Steven said. "I don't like the whitebait further upstream, they get too ‘gutty’, I like to get them in the salt water."

Steven has been whitebaiting for about five years and is the son of Allan Wilkins, the Napier man who died when he fell in a drain last weekend.

This morning he was hoping to catch enough to take home for family and relatives, who had gathered for his father's funeral: "I'm down here every day, before and after work.

They (work mates) all want a taste of whitebait, they're always asking, ‘where's the whitebait’."

The season lasts until November 30.

http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3745021


In search of elusive white gold

By IAIN HYNDMAN - Wanganui Chronicle | Thursday, 16 August 2007



SCARCE 'BAIT: Casting a net in the backyard is as close as
Wanganui seamstress Jean Adams will get to whitebaiting.

Discovering how whitebait were running in Wanganui on day one of the season yesterday proved as illusive as the delicacy itself.

Any whitebaiter worth his or her salt never reveals their best spots and yesterday those contacted by the Chronicle were almost as protective of their daily catch.

Regular fisher Tom Crawford revealed he had caught just five whitebait, while his mate fared slightly better with 20.

"The water was pretty dirty and didn't lift until close to high tide. I got just five and my mate 12, but I'll be back out again tomorrow," Mr Crawford said yesterday.

Others south of the city lamented the lack of the delicacy on day one, also blaming dirty water on the shortage.

"Lovely day for it, if only the whitebait were running. The streams were just too dirty," was a common comment by those contacted.

Long-time whitebaiter Trevor Healey, however, reluctantly disclosed he had snared a respectable 7oz, while flatly refusing to reveal even which side of city he had fished.

"You can't ask a whitebaiter where the best spots are, but I will say I caught 7oz and my brother caught a similar amount. If I got half a pound everyday I'd be a happy man," Mr Healey said.

Meanwhile, whitebait net maker, Jean Adams, will never catch any she has never been out whitebaiting in the 25 years she has produced nets.

"I'm always too busy making nets to cast them. I've never been out whitebaiting. My husband Bob goes out when health allows, although he didn't today."

"He's planning to take the caravan to Waitotara and camp out this season, though," Mrs Adams said yesterday.

Mrs Adams is better known for her sewing skills through her home-based business Jean's Sewing Repair Services, but at this time of year clothes take a back seat.

"I sewed about 30 nets for people last season and I'll probably go close to that again this year, but I couldn't tell you how they were running today." "I haven't had any feedback at all, but it was day one after all," she said.

http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3745102