Native fish within the Manawatū Catchment can now swim freely, thanks to the installation of a number of fish ladders and fish ropes.
As part of work for the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord, Horizons Regional Council has installed 10 fish ladders and two fish ropes throughout the catchment, at sites ranging from around Ekatahuna, through to Woodville and across to Shannon and Foxton. Fish ladders are planned for a further four sites.
These sites have been selected according to the number and conservation status of fish that are likely to benefit, and the amount of habitat that will be made available to them upstream.
The fish ladders, made of fiberglass, may benefit a number of native species including Inanga, Giant kokopu, Banded kokopu, Koaro, Shortjaw kokopu, Torrent fish, Shortfin and Longfin eel and a number of Bully species.