Location of Arapawaiti pa, Otaihanga

Eels, native bully and whitebait were found during monitoring of pest fish in Lake Horowhenua, giving hope for its restoration.

With the permission of Lake Horowhenua trustees and Lake Domain Board, Horizons Regional Council engaged the services of Waikato University to undertake a monitoring programme to establish the level of pest fish populations and inform options to manage them.

Controlling pest fish populations is a potential management tool to contribute to improving lake water quality and reducing toxic algal blooms.

Waikato University scientist Grant Tempero reported his findings to Lake Horowhenua trustees, Lake Domain Board members, Horowhenua District Council and Horizons staff at a meeting on Friday.

"We have been fishing for four days and are very happy with how things have gone," said Mr Tempero. "In terms of pest fish we found large perch fish but not a high population, there are also goldfish and a few carp but these are again at low numbers. As for other fish we caught 1796 eels in our nets; there is a good population of native bully and even some whitebait.

"The average eel size was relatively small but the numbers are high so in five to 10 years' time they could easily grow to a healthy fishery.

"At this stage I’d say the future of the lake looks promising if you were to judge it by the fish ecological system.

"We've observed there is plenty of food and so still a lot of hope for the fish population."

Horizons freshwater and science manager Dr Jon Roygard says while there are some challenges for recreational use of the lake in terms of water quality, the monitoring results demonstrated the fish population is well placed for lake restoration.

"Goldfish and perch are known to have negative impacts on water quality in some places so knowing they are at a low level is promising," he said.

"The research also shows whitebait and mullet are present in low numbers which indicates there would be real value in installing a fish pass at the take weir to enable them to move freely between the lake and the sea to complete their life cycle."

Lake trustee DrJonathan Procter said the group was ecstatic to learn there were still so many eels in the lake.

"We think ifs great to have this information now.

”There's still a big job to do to maintain good fish numbers and reduce pest fish but this information will be crucial for lake restoration," he said.

The monitoring results will be written into a report that will help lake restoration partners determine what needs to be done in the future.

"Horizons plan to install a flow recording site, lake monitoring buoy and a lake level monitoring site within the next two months to provide important information on the health of the lake, and data to assist with its restoration.

"This is all part of a work programme that lake restoration partners have agreed on and initiated, beginning with pest fish monitoring," Ur Roygard said.

“Beyond monitoring we are also undertaking further stream fencing and plantring around the lake and its tributaries."

Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said the information provided by pest fish monitoring would be crucial to show the progress made over the years ahead.

"This monitoring marks the beginning of a journey to bring the mana back to the lake and as the regional council we are committed to seeing it returned to its glory." he said.

Horowhenua District Council Mayor Brendan Duffy said the independent research conducted by a nationally recognised and respected institution negates any opportunity to question the results.

"From the information presented we are in an extraordinarily positive position and it shows the establishment of a partnership between interested parties is absolutely the right decision.

"It will allow us to collectively develop a plan of action, seek funding and deliver lake improvements," he said.

Bill died in his 88th year on 7 November 2013. His death notice (in the Horowhenua Mail of 14 November 2013) read:

WRIGHT, William Raymond (Bill). Of Levin. On 7th November 2013 peacefully at Palmerston North Hospital. In his 88th year. Dearly loved husband of Heather. Loved father and father-in-law of Greg: Fraser & Donna (Foxton). Loved grandad to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In accordance with Bill's wishes, a private funeral has been held. Messages to 547 Queen St East. Levin. I.C.Mark Ltd Levin and Otaki.

Where? 119 Bath Street, Levin

When?

Time?

What’s On?

Tutor

Cost

tea/

coffee

tutor

MONDAY

10.30 am-12.30 pm

DRAWING

Neil Perfect

368–8663

$2

$3

1 pm – 4.00 pm

WATERCOLOUR

Free–for–all!

Lynne Neustroski

367–2301

$2

TUESDAY

9 am – 12 noon

Free–for–all!

$2

12.30 pm – 2.30 pm

DRAWING

Neil Perfect

368–8663

$2

$3

6 pm – 8.30 pm

DRAWING

Neil Perfect

368–8663

$2

$3

WEDNESDAY

9 am – 4 pm

Free–for–all!

$2

THURSDAY

9 am– 12 noon

Free–for–all!

$2

7 pm – 9 pm

LIFE DRAWING CLASS

Neil Perfect

368–8663

$2

$10

FRIDAY

9.30 am – 12.30 pm

PAINTING

Dorothy Burt

368–7062

$2

$3

Come and visit us – we would love to see you.

Please feel free to contact our President, Dorothy Burt 368 7062, for any more information.

---

Membership Form for New & Returning Members

2014

$ 20.00 per year

$ 25.00 per year if require posted newsletter

Please complete this form, and return it, with your subscription fee, to a Committee member at the Art Society clubrooms

New Member

Returning Member

(Mark one only)

24-2-2019Levin Hope Centre’s pastor Tony Collis in the historic St John’s church building’

Pest fish levels are low and eel numbers are high in Lake Horowhenua, according to scientists.

A Waikato University team spent four days fishing on the lake as part of a pest fish monitoring programme, on behalf of Horizons Regional Council.

Controlling pest fish populations will help improve lake water quality and reduce toxic algal blooms.

Waikato University scientist Grant Tempero said large perch were found, but not in big numbers. Goldfish and carp numbers were also low.

A council spokeswoman said the Friday afternoon catch was still being tallied, but before that there had been 154 perch and 200 goldfish caught, and "at least three carp” in the afternoon. Mr Tempero said the team also caught 1,796 eels and found there was a "good population of native bully and even some whitebait".

"The average eel size was relatively small but the numbers are high, so in five to 10 years time they could easily grow to a healthy fishery.

"At this stage I’d say the future of the lake looks promising if you were to judge it by the fish ecological system."

Horizons freshwater and science manager Dr Jon Roygard said while recreational use created challenges for water quality, the fish population is well placed for lake restoration.

"The research also shows whitebait and mullet are present in low numbers which indicates there would be real value in installing a fish pass at the lake weir to enable them to move freely between the lake and the sea to complete their lifecycle."