Whitebait season gets under way

Whitebait season gets under way

Ōtaki whitebaiters are hoping for good catches as the season gets under way.

The season began on Sunday (September 1), after a storm overnight had swept through the region, leaving frothy seas and murky waters at Ōtaki Beach. Whitebaiters said they had little luck but that a good run reported before the season opened was a good sign. The season will run until Wednesday, October 30 inclusive.

It was a mixed season last year, with overall catches well down on the glory days of 20-plus years ago.

The Department of Conservation reduced the season in 2022 as part of efforts to reduce fishing pressure on the most threatened species during their peak migration period. The season was previously from August 15 to November 30.

Four of the six whitebait species were classified as threatened or at risk of extinction.

Whitebaiting is allowed from 5am to 8pm, and when Daylight Time comes in on September 29, 6am to 9pm.