Fish climb the ladder of success

Ladders for fish are not something you see every day, so the arrival of one in Stanmore Bay has caused a lot of interest from passers-by.

The ladder in the Stanmore Stream (by Stanley Hunt yard on Whangaparaoa Rd) allows freshwater fish such as banded kokopu, short finned eels and red finned bullies access into the upper reaches of the stream. This migration is an essential part of the life cycle of fresh water fish.

The ladder was installed by Rodney District Council after consultation with Hibiscus Coast Forest and Bird.

Hibiscus Coast Forest and Bird chair Pauline Smith says a survey conducted last year of all the streams that contribute to the Stanmore catchment identified the need for the ladder. Freshwater fish expert Dene Andre supplied the cost-efficient design.

Pauline says the ladder contributes to the ecology of the area, as a decline in the fish population of streams reduces the food supply for marine species.

“We are grateful to Council staff who acknowledged the problem and found the funds to rectify it,” Pauline says. “We hope we can resolve other issues in relation to the Stanmore catchment in the same spirit of cooperation.”

She says other concerns raised by the survey include the fact that the Vipond Stream starts on a piece of bush clad land known as the Archers Block on the Weiti River, which is on Council’s for sale list.

Images: Top, before. Below, after