Eastern Fish and Game Board election: Murray Ferris and Mark Skeates retain seats

“We have the authority to manage New Zealand’s primarily freshwater fisheries, trout and salmon, and to manage and enhance game bird resources. We mostly look after duck shooters.”

Sceats said it maintains these resources for licensees and protects their interests.

The East Coast Sub-Region has helped the Waikaremoana Boating and Fishing Association install a safety beacon on the lake.

Ferris said he served on the council for about six terms.

“I’m going to get back on my feet after this semester.”

Fish & Game NZ was about to undergo an audit and he wanted to be part of it.

A lot of hard work has been done at the council in a dynamic environment around game availability, Ferris said.

The ducks were captured and numbered ribbons were attached to their legs around January and February, helping the council track the population and determine harvest limits and season lengths.

If a lot of juveniles and females are banded, “it’s been a good breeding season,” Ferris said.

“If not, then it didn’t happen… It’s so scientific.”

Ferris said trout spawn naturally in the area, so there is no need to release the trout.

There have been a lot of severe weather events in recent years, but the trout have proven to be very resilient.

Skeets said council members had a passion for fishing and hunting and wanted to promote sustainability, best practices and “putting food on the table.”