Fish: A background paper contributing to the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere: State of the Lake 2013 Technical Report No. 1.

Abstract

A total of 47 species of fish have been recorded in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. Some of these are long-term resident species tolerant of varying levels of salinity. Sixteen species are diadromous, meaning that they spend part of their life in the ocean. The lake supports important customary and commercial fisheries - key species are tuna/eels, patiki/ flounder (black, sand, and yellowbelly), and aua/yellow eyed mullet. The lake provides an important conduit for recruitment of diadromous fish to the Selwyn River and other tributaries. The lower reaches of the many waterways which flow into the lake provide important fish habitat (Hughey and Taylor et al., 2008).