Christchurch Earthquake – Whitebaiting warning

Whitebaiters who persist in ignoring warnings to stay away from Christchurch rivers are being dealt with by the Police because whitebait caught now in local waterways are unsafe to eat.

Rivers remain contaminated with sewage and wastewater overflows following the earthquake and the Medical Officer of Health has issued warnings that it is unsafe to gather fish or shellfish, including whitebait.

Anyone who sees people whitebaiting in the Avon, Heathcote, Halswell and Styx rivers, the estuary, and the tidal reaches of the Kaiapoi River should notify the Police.

Yesterday, the District Health Board released the following information about contaminated rivers:

The current emergency situation has led to the city’s waterways becoming contaminated with sewerage and wastewater overflows.

Due to ongoing infrastructure damage and the time taken to identify damage and instigate repairs, contact and use of the Avon, Heathcote, Halswell and Styx rivers, the estuary, and the tidal reaches of the Kaiapoi River should be avoided until further notice.

The public are advised:

Do not drink water from the rivers

Do not collect fish or shellfish from the river or river mouth or estuary; this includes whitebait.

Do not use the river or estuary for recreational use, including swimming or boating.

Avoid physical contact with water in these waterways.

The public are advised to avoid contact with any river water and sea water in these areas, due to their likely contamination, as a result of the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

ENDS

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