June 19, 2017
Tuwharetoa backs Taupo trout reduction
There are too many trout in Lake Taupo.
Department of Conservation fishery manager Dave Conley says over the past decade there has been a slight downward trend in size and quality, which would point to a high trout population placing pressure on food sources.
As a result DOC, in consultation with Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee, and Destination Great Lake Taupo, is increasing the bag limit from three to six and dropping the size limit from 40cm to 35cm.
The changes go into effect when the new season starts on July 1.
There are also new licence categories to make it more affordable for seniors and families to get out on the lake.
Tuwharetoa chief executive Topia Rameka says as Taupo is a wild fishery the iwi supports adaptive management techniques aimed at improving the quality of the fishery.
Other changes include the fly fishing only water designations being reduced around stream mouths from the existing 300m distance to 200m, and a change in the definition of fly fishing to take into account in modern styles of fly-fishing such as euro nymphing.
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