Although the Department of Conservation (Doc) is warning whitebaiters travelling to the West Coast to check the regulations before they go, North Otago whitebaiters appear to have little reason to leave town, following a stunning start to the season.
Whitebaiting rules on the West Coast differ to those in North Otago and the rest of New Zealand, but Doc Franz Josef-Waiau area community relations ranger Cornelia Vervoorn said compliance officers were still having to deal with rule breaches from people visiting the area.
Ms Vervoorn said it was the responsibility of individual whitebaiters to familiarise themselves with the differences in regulations.
"We'd strongly advise people to do their research before they set their nets. We'd remind visitors to the coast to ensure they are familiar with the West Coast regulations so they don't get caught out."
West Coast whitebaiting regulations were available at Doc offices or online, she said.
Doc Otago freshwater ranger Peter Ravenscroft said it was simple to pick up a brochure on the West Coast regulations, but added that with local North Otago rivers experiencing a rise in whitebait catches, there might not be many local anglers making the trip to the coast.
"It has been the best start for a long number of years, and it's actually fishing well throughout the whole of Otago. Normally the Clutha is our number one site, and there are some good catches down there, but there have been some good catches on the Waikouaiti and the Kakanui.
"It has been a surprising and pleasing start."
Hauls of 18kg had been reported on the Waikouaiti, 28kg on the Clutha, and 3kg on the Kakanui, which was more than usual for the time of year, he said.
