As part of Watercare’s resource consents for the ten dams in the Hunua and Waitakere ranges, a native fisheries programme was required to be implemented. The purpose of this was to mitigate the impacts of the dams on the migratory lifestyles of affected New Zealand native climbing fish species.
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Consultants commissioned by Watercare carried out a detailed study and prepared a report. The resultant recommendation of this report was for Watercare to utilise the 'trap and haul' method of protection and control, which involves downstream and upstream manual transfer of particular fish species. In particular this report recommends:
The installation of traps downstream from the dams for juvenile galaxiid species and elver. Then, during scheduled control and checks of the traps, the fish are weighed and recorded and transferred above the dams. These checks are carried out on a weekly basis during the period from August through to February. In 2009 Watercare trialled temporary traps at the dams and is currently in the design and installation phase for the new system of permanent traps.
The placement of fyke nets within the dams from March to May to catch migrating eels. The migrating eels are identified, weighed, recorded and released downstream from the dams on a regular basis. This programme commenced in 2009.