Ladder Climbing Fish on the North Shore

Ever heard of fish that climb ladders? And on Auckland’s North Shore? Well, neither had I until we met John Kearney.

We’ve been having our deck overhauled during the past couple of weeks. Apparently, it’s not as solid as we thought and much of it needs replacing. John Kearney, a skilled craftsman, is doing the job very ably, but the trouble is, he disappears every now and then, with little warning. The reason for this apparent slackness?

He’s been called away by the North Shore City Council to do some maintenance work on the local waterways. Right now, he’s building ladders for the wee native fish to climb so they can navigate their way upstream to their habitual spawning areas. John has introduced this initiative and has shown himself to be a quiet hero in the precarious life of our freshwater fish. Another scheme he’s initiated is to install mussel nets on the concrete walls of culverts. This way, the fish have a place to rest on their journey upstream as well as a place to hide from predators.

We’re more than happy to push out the completion of our deck if it means  our urban streams can support a variety of native fish such as inanga, kokopu, bullies and eels.  To view more information on fish ladders and the care of freshwater fish in New Zealand, check out what’s happening in Wellington and at Three Streams on the North Shore.

If you’re interested in helping with the preservation of the waterways and streams on the North Shore, contact the Kaipatiki Project . They’re having Green Drinks at their bush reserve headquarters at 17 Lauderdale Road, Birkdale at 6pm on 8 December. Let them know if you want to come along and meet the team. Send an email to auckland@nzaee.org.nz.

Another example of John’s handiwork

Read about fish ladders being installed in other Auckland waterways here.