Whitebait Connection - WBC

05/05/2025

One of the biggest threats īnanga face comes before they've even hatched 🐭

These native fish lay their eggs above the waterline, where pests like rats, mice, and hedgehogs will gobble them up, given half a chance. The stakes are high: a single rat can wipe out hundreds of eggs and destroy a spawning habitat.

Autumn and early winter are peak times for rat population numbers, overlapping with īnanga spawning times. That's why it's vital to set traps around īnanga spawning areas — just like the artificially installed one in the picture. It ensures the eggs have the chance to grow, hatch, and fulfil the vital role īnanga have in our marine and freshwater ecosystems.

This site is at Te Wharau Creek, Greenhithe, and is part of the Upper Harbour Īnanga Spawning Project funded by Upper Harbour Local Board. Huge thanks to Louis from Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, who we are working with to protect īnanga spawning sites around the Greenhithe area, and Nicola from Greenhithe Community Trust for assisting us with checking the artificial habitat 🐟🌿

21/03/2025

05/03/2025

The tuna is mighty! 💪

If we could vote for the longfin eel for Fish of the Year 2025 three times over, we would! Sadly, that's not possible (unless you employ Photoshop!).

But here are three real reasons why tuna kuwharuwharu deserve your vote:

1️⃣ They are adaptable: Longfin eels can survive out of water for up to 48 hours! This allows them to wriggle across damp land to find new waterways when needed.

2️⃣ They’re ancient: Longfin eels have been in Aotearoa for 80 million years, making them one of our oldest freshwater species!

3️⃣ They need our help: Longfin eels are classified as At Risk – Declining due to habitat loss, pollution, and barriers to migration.

Show your support for our most iconic freshwater fish - vote for the longfin eel! 🗳️

🔗 Vote here: https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/fishoftheyear/vote

04/03/2025

In case you missed it - is LIVE. Visit the website at www.fishoftheyear.org.nz, meet the contestants, and make sure you take the time to vote for your faves!

Fish of the Year is underway...and what a start we've had! We've ALREADY topped the 2024 vote tally, not even 72 hours into the competition.

Thanks so much to our fish sponsors who've given so much time and energy to the cause already. The campaigning has been clean...for now. Who knows what might happen when the voting heats up!

Be sure to catch one of our Co-Directors Kim on TVNZ Breakfast tomorrow just before 8:30 having a chat about the competition.

And above all, remember to go to www.fishoftheyear.org.nz to meet your contestants, and vote for your favourites!

01/03/2025

Come celebrate Seaweek with us and Friends of Wairaki Stream with a family friendly, annual clean-up of Lynfield Cove and stream. This Saturday 8 March 9.45am - 12pm.

Take a moment to investigate stream life, and have a close-up look at creatures in the muddy tidal flats with our experts. This is part of our project to help restore native freshwater fish habitat to Wairaki Stream, made possible with support from Puketāpapa Local Board, Healthy Waters at Auckland Council and Ministry for the Environment.

More details at event link below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Yho6QWbE4/

27/02/2025

Explore Lake Rototoa with an experienced snorkel guide and learn what makes Lake Rotoroa special!

26/02/2025

11/02/2025

The matuku is an amazing wetlands bird. Hear West Auckland artist Derek March talk about his experiences hearing it boom!

10/02/2025

Were you at the Wetlands Festival last week? We were!

🩵 Wetlands 🩵

22/01/2025

🌿✨ Join Us at the World Wetland Festival! ✨🌿

Here are just a few of the amazing groups you can meet, chat with, and learn from at this year’s festival.

📅 When: February 1st 10am-3pm
📍 Where: Matuku Link, 111 Bethells Road, Te Henga

Come and celebrate the rich biodiversity and cultural importance of Te Henga. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the wetlands, learn about conservation efforts, and honor the communities dedicated to protecting not just our wetlands but the surrounding landscapes and ecosystems.