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Franklin anglers stand to benefit from Fish & Game NZ divers who have been taking the plunge to keep tabs on trout and waterway health.
“Our staff are in the water assessing water clarity, habitat quality, aquatic insect populations and the abundance of indigenous fish,” Richie Cosgrove from Fish & Game says. “Together, that gives us a broad and reliable picture of overall river health.”
Drift diving surveys have involved staff diving into more than 100 rivers nationwide, covering hundreds of kilometres. They are a cornerstone of Fish & Game’s monitoring programme.
Data about water quality and trout abundance help set catch limits for New Zealand’s 140,000 fishing licence holders.
“This work is what underpins our ability to advocate effectively for healthy rivers and lakes,” Cosgrove said.
“Trout require the cleanest water of any freshwater species in the country, which makes them an excellent indicator of river health. When trout are thriving, it tells us the waterway is in good shape. When they’re struggling, it’s often a sign that something is wrong upstream.”
Drift diving is one of several monitoring methods used by Fish & Game, alongside electric fishing, spawning surveys, acoustic surveys, eDNA testing and angler surveys.
