Police bust fishers allegedly taking whitebait from Waiau River

Police have netted several fishers allegedly, illegally taking whitebait from Southland's Waiau river. The bust was part of a joint operation between Police, the Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand, and Te Runaka o Oraka-Aparima. Whitebaiting season on the mainland runs for another two weeks but with strict rules, to sustain the endangered fish population. Southland Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Pete Graham told Lisa Owen the temptation was just too much for a few rule breakers.