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Appropriate use of mussel spat ropes to facilitate passage for stream organisms

TR 2014/29
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Report: TR 2014/29

Author: B David, M Hamer, J Tonkin & C Bourke

About this report

Over one-third of New Zealand’s native fish species need to migrate to and from the ocean to complete their lifecycle. Consequently, these species rely on unimpaired river connectivity in both directions for maintaining healthy, functioning populations and abundant stocks of whitebait and eels.

This report describes the development and testing of an option that can easily and relatively cheaply be retrofitted to some culverts and possibly other structures to improve fish passage. The report briefly describes some of the issues around culverts specifically, and how use of mussel spat ropes may overcome some of the problems for particular species in particular situations. The type of rope to use and how it may be installed is also described.

Read or download the report

Appropriate use of mussel spat ropes to facilitate passage for stream organisms [PDF, 2.3 MB]