Whitebait considered during stopbank works

Works to maintain Whakatane’s stopbanks could have added benefits for whitebaiters in coming years.

As part of the works to improve flood protection around the Landing Road Bridge area, Environment Bay of Plenty is trialling the creation of extra spawning habitat for inanga (whitebait).

Principal Works Engineer Tony Dunlop said the works were important for maintaining the town’s protection from flooding.

“The floods of 2004 showed us how important it is to keep our stopbanks well maintained,” Mr Dunlop said. “However as a regional council we have multiple roles, including environmental protection, and we’re continually looking at ways to incorporate them into our functions.”

Environment Bay of Plenty Environmental Scientist Matt Bloxham said although wetlands were the preferred spawning ground for whitebait, he hoped this trial would provide the fish with a similar environment.

“Inanga are known to spawn close to the Domain Road Bridge site and may return there year after year to spawn. Unfortunately tidal and river erosion has left the banks steep in this part of the river, reducing the area available for spawning.”

He said the works involve lowering the bank profiles in two locations and this will aid fish access to prime spawning habitat behind the rock works.

“This will create additional spawning habitat away from the river edge,” Mr Bloxham said. “The key is in providing the fish with as much horizontal spawning habitat as possible.”

He said native sedges will be introduced to the new river bank rock armoring, to improve spawning habitat.

“Incredibly, inanga eggs develop for a whole month out of the water, but for this to happen the eggs must remain moist. We’re hoping that the sedges will not only increase egg survival by keeping the eggs moist, but that their roots will help key rocks into the bank.”

Mr Dunlop said the works were being carried out so the plants could become established before summer and improve their survival, and become established before the whitebait spawing period from March to May.

ENDS

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