The Diana Falls slip on State Highway 6 is disrupting the migration of whitebaiters from Otago and Southland to the West Coast.
The West Coast whitebait season runs from September 1 to November 14 and attracts a steady stream of whitebaiters from Wanaka, Queenstown and further afield.
However, road closures between Makarora and Haast, and a lack of certainty over when the road is open, is putting off some of those considering whitebaiting trips to the coast.
Owner of the Pine Grove Motel, 35km south of Fox Glacier, Carol Scott told the Otago Daily Times yesterday she had some Otago and Southland whitebaiters cancel bookings because of the road.
Mrs Scott said she had a group of five booked for this weekend, ''but if the road's closed they just won't get here.''
The road is closed between 6pm and 8am each night but yesterday did not open until 2pm because of rock falls brought down by heavy rain.
Mrs Scott said the biggest problem was for those planning short trips who had work commitments.
''If the weather forecast isn't looking good, then they don't like to come because they might not get home.''
Haast Beach lessee Lorraine Wallis confirmed road closures were affecting those who normally ''pop over the hill'' for a short visit.
''The people who come and stay here permanently for the whitebaiting season, normally their friends and families come over and visit. That's not happening this year because of uncertainty over the road.''
Mrs Scott said the first thing most businesses in her area did each morning was check the New Zealand Transport Agency website for information about the road.
''I know they are working as hard as they can. It's just one of those things. There's no point jumping up and down about it. Everyone's doing their best.''
Haast identity Kerry Eggeling said the fewer whitebaiters from the South might mean local whitebaiters would have less competition.
''So that's one of the upsides,'' Mr Eggeling said with a laugh.
