Whitebaiters on the West Coast are worried they're being unfairly targeted by the government as it attempts to bring in tighter rules around indigenous freshwater fish.
The bill would stop some whitebaiters who have traditionally fished in conservation areas from continuing to do so, and the National Party claims it will ultimately result in the prohibition of whitebaiting in New Zealand.
Hundreds of people attended a meeting hosted by the local whitebaiting association in Hokitika yesterday.
