Canterbury Lakes re-open for fishing after MPI gives all clear
Canterbury’s high country lakes have been re-opened to trout angling after the Ministry of Primary Industries gave the all clear.
The high country lakes near Arthur's Pass - Lyndon, Pearson, Grasmere, Sarah, Hawdon and Marymere – were closed just before Christmas after trout caught there were found to have rashes over their sides and bellies.
Fish & Game sent samples of the afflicted trout for analysis by MPI experts, along with native fish also found dead in the lakes.
MPI experts say they could not find any virus or bacteria in the trout they tested and whatever caused the rashes was not infectious.
They suggest that something in the environment is responsible.
Based on the results, MPI experts have given the all clear to re-open the lakes and Fish & Game says that will happen immediately.
Fish & Game New Zealand Chief Executive Martin Taylor is welcoming the news.
“We are glad that whatever caused the rashes isn’t infectious. But at the same time, the fact that it occurred is of concern”, Mr Taylor says.
“MPI suggests that the cause is environmental. What we do know is water quality in lakes Grasmere and Pearson has been declining over the last decade and combined with a hot summer, this is the most likely reason for the rashes.
Right: Algal blooms and foam on Lake Hawdon.
“With the continuing drive to intensive farming in the high country, this sort of situation is sadly more likely to occur in the future,” Mr Taylor says.
He says Fish & Game will continue to monitor the situation.
Fish & Game’s North Canterbury Council chair, Trevor Isitt, says the all clear for the lakes is a relief.
He says the lakes will be re-opened straight away and anglers and their families can return to them knowing they are free of anything invasive that could spread to other waterways.
Mr Isitt thanks anglers for their support during the lake closures.
“We would like to thank anglers for their patience through this period. We know it’s been frustrating, but it's better to be safe than sorry when dealing with such threats to our trout fishery.”
Subscribe via RSS
Categories
Archive
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- June 2014
- December 2013
- March 2013
- September 2012
- July 2012