‘We’re into it’: Whitebaiters head to the coast as season starts in South Canterbury

Keen whitebaiters were up before the sun in Timaru on Friday in anticipation of the opening of a season some say is the highlight of their year.

Tevita Thomson was one of those out at Smithfield beach, just north of Timaru, at dawn on Friday and joked whitebaiting was his religion and “quite an addiction”.

“Been waiting all year for this and counting down the days, and now we’re into it.”

“I’ve been whitebaiting for a few years now.

“You get a hell of a buzz out of it,” Thomson said.

Thomson said he enjoys the atmosphere, the people, getting out in the open air and “chasing the little buggers”.

On Friday morning, he said he had enough in his container for a restaurant patty, and he would finish up, go home and have a feed and share it with his wife.

The 2023 season runs from September 1 to October 30, with the last of new whitebaiting regulations rolling out for the South Island’s West Coast on day one.

The Department of Conservation said the maximum length of whitebaiting gear used on the West Coast is now six metres, bringing it in line with the rest of the country.

“This change will mainly affect fishing gear used from whitebaiting stands.

“The new West Coast regulation will also help to address equity issues. Up until this year, West Coast stand-holders could potentially harvest significant amounts of whitebait using extensive net and screen lengths,” a DOC spokesperson said.

Whitebaiters are allowed to fish from 5am until 8pm, or from 6am-9pm during daylight saving.

Long time whitebaiter Colin McConnochie, who was also at Smithfield on Friday, said he really enjoys whitebaiting and there’s always plenty “if you are in the right place”, but he doesn’t eat the delicacy.

“I don’t eat it, but my friends do.

“I’ve got a feed here for a 96-year-old this morning I play pool with, and he’s going to enjoy it tonight. Him and his wife.”

McConnochie said he’s been whitebaiting all his life, and he had met a lot of people over the years.

Although he does not eat whitebait himself, McConnochie said he enjoys catching it for people who can’t no longer go out and catch it themselves.

DOC freshwater species manager Emily Funnell urged whitebaiters to help reduce the spread of invasive freshwater pests, particularly gold clam this season.

“No matter where you whitebait, follow Biosecurity New Zealand’s updated Check, Clean, Dry advice, and, if you are fishing in the Waikato, stick to whitebaiting in only one river for the season to reduce the risk of your gear and waders spreading gold clam.”

Funnel also asked whitebaiters to keep themselves safe, particularly at the margins of the sea and rivers, by wearing belts and to consider wearing life jackets if around deep or turbulent waters.