PAPER: Evaluating Māori harvesting method for ...

Evaluation of a traditional Māori harvesting method for sampling kōura (freshwater crayfish, Paranephrops planifrons) and toi toi (bully, Gobiomorphus spp.) populations in two New Zealand streams

July 2018

Kusabs IA, Hicks BJ, Quinn JM, Perry WL, Whaanga H 2018. Evaluation of a traditional Maori harvesting method for sampling koura (freshwater crayfish, Paranephrops planifrons) and toi toi (bully, Gobiomorphus spp.) populations in two New Zealand streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 52(4): 603-625.

ABSTRACT

Representative sampling of crayfish in streams is often impractical, especially in non-wadable habitats, or in areas with soft substrates. Whakaweku are artificial habitats made from bracken fern (Pteridium esculentum) that can be used successfully in a range of habitats. We compared whakaweku, minnow traps, fyke nets and electrofishing for sampling freshwater crayfish (kōura; Paranephrops planifrons) and bullies (toi toi; Gobiomorphus spp.) in two streams with differing stream characteristics and fish assemblages.

KEYWORDS

Whakaweku; Mātauranga Māori; optimum soak time; representative catch data; freshwater crayfish trap; Bracken fern bundles