The future of whitebait in Wairau River at Maungaturoto is now much more secure after efforts from the local school, community, Whitebait Connection and dairy giant Fonterra.
Fonterra's Maungaturoto site, in partnership with the Whitebait Connection, community groups and Maungaturoto Primary School, is creating a safe haven for the endangered whitebait fish in the Wairau River that runs behind the site.
Earlier this month thousands and thousands of whitebait spawned at the site, thanks to the work of the groups, and particularly the efforts of the schoolchildren, who had helped put in place plants in the river that provided perfect spawning spots.
Many of the children were on hand to watch the spawning and the erection of a sign declaring the area "Whitebait Island". Fonterra said the recent spawning highlights the work that's been done over the last couple of years to improve conditions for the rare fish by the local community.
Whitebait numbers have been declining over the years due to the specific conditions they like to spawn. As the area behind Fonterra's Maungaturoto site is as an ideal location for spawning due to the "salt water wedge", the area where fresh and salt water meet, it was decided to give the fish a helping hand.
