Thread: Forest and Bird

Originally Posted by csmiffy

The IRD on the west coast have been pretty tough for a while on this. Probably the last 20 years or so?
Go down to people on the bank and see if they want to do a cashy, making out they want it for mum etc. If they accept they get done.
I would suggest the majority of whitebait sold is taxed but the guy who sells 100k's to his local pub are still around for sure but just remember not everyone catch's that much if they are just doing it for a hobby/lifestyle.
The big issue is the habitat, not the catching.
A commercial baiter I knew back in the early 2000's said there were several runs a year, over 3, mostly outside of the season. I cant confirm this so will cop it if wrong.
He did it as a proper business-had the stand down south westland, very remote access, jetboat, vehicles everything booked to the company. Rest of the year he was a contract fitter/welder
There is nowhere near the bait caught like there used to be. There are stories of it being dug into the garden back in the 40's and 50's.

Yeah man, last stat I saw said the fishery was responsible for about 20% of the total mortality rate.
Habitat and predation is the primary issue, but they are much much harder to deal to. Argument is that if you can reduce mortality by 20% with a stroke of a pen then it will buy time to attempt to fix the greater issue.

Sucks man, I love the stuff but can't eat it anymore.