Species composition of whitebait (Galaxiidae) fisheries in 12 Bay of Plenty rivers, New Zealand: Evidence for river mouth selection by juvenile <i>Galaxias brevipinnis</i> (Günther)

Abstract

Galaxias maculatus dominated the whitebait catch in 11 of the 12 Bay of Plenty rivers studied. In four rivers, this species accounted for 84–99% of the catch. However, in seven other rivers, G. maculatus accounted for only 52–70% of the catch, and major (&gt;18%) contributions were made by either Galaxias brevipinnis or Galaxias fasciatus . hi the twelfth river, the Motu River, G. brevipinnis dominated the catch, accounting for over 70% of whitebait caught. This is the first report of a river‐mouth whitebait fishery dominated by G. brevipinnis . Rivers where G. brevipinnis contributed more than 18% of the catch were all within a 70 km radius west of the Motu River mouth. In rivers beyond this limit, G. brevipinnis was less than 2% of the catch. Such differences in species composition may result from river‐mouth selection by migratory juveniles of G. brevipinnis .