Fish trapping Rangitata diversion race fish screen.

Hatchery volunteers have been helping NIWA and RDRML staff in the trapping process to secure a small number of downward migrating salmon fry to check them for any damage incurred when negotiating the flow of water past the fish screen and into the return by-pass. Helpers do shifts during the night when the trap is in, from 6pm to midnight, and midnight to 7am the next morning. Every hour the trap is checked and any fish that have been diverted are put into a holding tank for later checking.
Its not an onerous task to help out and Fish and Game show prospective helpers what to do as they are also part of the process. There is a warm dry room to shelter in between checks and lots of laughs and coffee is drunk during the night. We would like more folk to help as we have a few more checking nights coming up in the near future. Contact Phil 0274422454 if you think you might be able to help out.
​Photos show operations at the fish trap. Click to enlarge.