devonportflagstaff.co.nz
August 28, 2026
Village project approved for fast track... p8-9
Local couple mark love story 60 years on... p5
Interview: TGS rowing coach Sam Grant... p24-25
Tradition stymied as ‘whitebait’ ruled to be anchovies A 60-year tradition of whitebaiting from Devonport’s Victoria Wharf appears to have come to an end. Ross Tanner, who began whitebaiting from the wharf 45 years ago, has been told by fisheries officers the practice should cease. Over recent months, Tanner and his
daughter Jasmine had set up a popular stand outside Devonport Hammer Hardware on Fridays, selling whitebait fritters. The ban comes after a complaint about the whitebaiting was made to the Department of Conservation (DoC), which administers whitebaiting regulations. DoC found the fish were not whitebait but
a sea-based fish, and handed the matter on to the Ministry for Primary Industries. The “whitebait” were actually saltwater anchovies, bait fish with a 50-a-day limit. “Not even enough to make a fritter,” Tanner said. A fisheries officer interviewed Tanner To page 2
Wheels? Hi-viz? Action!
Young men at work... Oliver Ostergaard (left) and Hunter Ede were two of the organisers of a successful “Wheels Day” fundraiser at Stanley Bay School. Story, pictures, page 13.