WFS Admin

There have been anecdotal reports of a downturn in the Tasmanian river whitebait runs. Here’s an old newspaper clipping that demonstrates how things once were …

From The Mercury newspaper, Wed, Nov 5, 1941 …

“Shoals of whitebait, which are in abundance In the Huon River, are providing an industry at Huonville, where more than four tons, of a value of about £140, have been landed within the past few days. There is a ready market in Hobart, where the fish are canned. Huonville enthusiasts, equipped with nets and dinghies, rake the river methodically. The best catches were obtained on Monday, when more than three tons was lifted. Beginning at 5am and working until dusk, two men filled 40 apple cases, for which they were paid £39. Although the fish were scooped from the surface when they first appeared, they now frequent the bottom. The upriver run to shallow water for spawning should continue for some weeks.”

How are the whitebait runs this year?