Enjoy a safe whitebaiting season

With whitebaiting season officially underway, we want to encourage everyone to whitebait safely. Here are some safety tips to observe when whitebaiting:

Always practise water safety – you can find safe water practises on Water Safety NZ.
- Don’t fish from wet rocks.
- Wear a lifejacket and wader-belt
- Carry 2 ways of communicating with others
Do not consume alcohol while whitebaiting.
Keep informed about the changing tides and do not cross when it is unsafe to do so.
Wear the correct attire when crossing rivers – including your life jacket.
Let people know where you are going and when you should be home again.
The water might appear safe, but undercurrents can be present and swift.
Familiarise yourself with where any rescue gear is available to help if someone gets into danger.

By behaving responsibly and looking after your own safety and the safety of those around you a great season can be had by all. Let’s work together to make sure that emergency services don’t have to come to anyone’s rescue this season!

Whitebaiting season is declared open on 1 September 2024 and runs until and including 30 October 2024.

Image: Shellie Evans on Flickr