Kanakana (Geotria australis) are an ancient and unusual species. They look a little like tuna but are jawless, instead using a sucker-like mouth to attach to and parasitise fish and whales.
Commonly known as piharau in the North Island, kanakana are harvested using a variety of methods. These include:
- harvesting by hand
- using poles and rapu – sticks with hooks at the end
- using hīnaki nets
- pā kanakana – wooden weirs
- whakaparu piharau – stone weirs
- paipai – barriers made with small branches or a mat made of bracken.
Whakataukī
Ka kitea a Matariki, ka rere te korokoro
(When Matariki is seen, the lamprey migrate)
Keane (2010)
He manawa piharau
(to have great stamina or endurance)
From Taranaki
Related resources
Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai video
Articles
- Piharau/kanakana – lamprey – NIWA and Te Wai Māori
- One with the environment – Sciblogs Mātau Taiao
- Kanakana Harvest Mātauranga: Potential Tools to Monitor Population Trends on the Waikawa River, Southland/Murihiku – project report by Dr Jane Kitson
- Understanding Tāonga Freshwater Fish Populations in Aotearoa New Zealand – NIWA and Te Wai Māori
- Understanding the ugly yet noble piharau – The Spinoff
