Mohaka fishery in decline?

October 2008

The Mohaka River has to be the jewel in the crown of Hawkes Bay trout fisheries, yet the upper reaches of this magnificent river are in decline due mainly to intense dairy farming and the subsequent effluent run-off.

A Water Conservation Order (WCO) protects the Mohaka River and its tributaries above Willow Flats. It therefore becomes the responsibility of the Hawkes Bay Regional Council to uphold the Mohaka WCO, not only in relation to the river’s water quality, but also the wellbeing of its fishery.

The regional council had originally agreed to make funds available for the project, but cancelled them because the consultant was no longer available. Why couldn’t the HB Regional Council work in with Fish & Game? Are they not the best consultants?

Fish & Game is alarmed at the changing land use in the river’s upper reaches, blaming them for the decline, not only of its fishery, but the Mohaka’s water quality. They are also disappointed that the regional council has made no provision in their annual plan to pinpoint the actual cause of the fisheries decline.

As some farm effluent consents come up for renewal, the council is to research in the affected areas.

Their investigations will be on the quality of the water, but they will not be engaged or be doing any impact reports on the state of its trout or native fisheries.

Anglers are becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of commitment by the HB Regional Council.

Some of them (seven in total) have told me that they will not be renewing their licences for the coming season, saying that they would rather go to Taupo.

This is a sad state of affairs – to stand by and witness the slow demise of a great river through bureaucratic inaction is very frustrating.

Norrie Day - October 2008

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