Media Release from: New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers Inc

Stronger Measures Essential To Stop Didymo

Stronger more stringent and effective measures must be taken to keep Didymo out of the North Island says a national trout fishing advocacy.

New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers’ President Ian Rodger of Auckland, made made these comments following news that "dead" didymo cells had been found in the Central North Island. Previously the invasive algae had been confined only to the South Island.

The Federation is calling for a much more pro-active approach by government. "A clear government policy that effectively ‘ring fences’ the North Island is needed as soon as possible," said Rodger.

He said the Federation has been urging greater public signage and Biosecurity presence at the interisland ferry terminals with closer surveillance of potential carriers crossing Cook Strait. "Anglers have tended to be blamed for the spread of didymo. We don't discount the factor but we emphasise there are several avenues of carriers from kayaks, to trailer boats, trampers, four wheel drive vehicles," he said.

Ian Rodger said it was disturbing to hear government officials say they were on "full alert" following the discovery of the cells in the North Island. "It needed full alert, full surveillance right from the start," he said.

Given the inadequacy of the Biosecurity NZ’s (MAF/BNZ) action there was an urgent need for more rigorous, carefully targeted strategies to be introduced as soon as possible.  Stronger measures must be introduced to protect New Zealand's freshwater. (Not just fishing but other recreational and industrial users.) 

Didymo is the current concern and urgent action must be taken to control it. But unwanted pests will continue to plague New Zealand's freshwaters, and under present MAF/BNZ policy we do not have the necessary protection mechanisms in place.

 Rodger proposed six new policy measures:-

Ring Fencing the North Island by extending the amendment to the Import Health Standards announced by Biosecurity NZ on 17 September 2007 to all South Island departure points; 
Ring-fencing the Taupo Catchment Fishery;
Introducing a Clean Gear Licence;
Imposing restrictions on the movement of  felt soled boots
Launching a NZ wide high profile awareness campaign featuring a NZ Celebrity;
Commissioning well funded research aimed at an ecological understanding of Didymo and its impact; and
Taking action on 1 to 6 with urgency.

"Putting a biosecurity barrier around the North Island is both urgent, and essential, as exists and operates effectively in other parts of the world," he said. “Live Didymo cells are in effect aquatic hitchhikers.  The cells can survive for weeks in damp or wet fishing equipment, clothing and kayaks, boats and absorbent materials, such as felt soles, and in doing so can be spread and over long distances, adapt and contaminate the next body of water.”

"We need rigorous biosecurity checks and controls on gear being bought into New Zealand in order to preventing the movement of such pests across international borders, and it is encouraging that MAF/BNZ is implementing some additional measures this month." It is not just didymo we are talking about here. We must have an effective quarantine system that minimises the possibility of allowing other (even worse) unwanted organisms in to New Zealand – and within the country he said.

However, we must not stop at that as controls at international barriers are not enough.  Given the out-of-control spread of Didymo throughout the South Island, best use must be made of the natural barrier (Cook Strait) that exists between the North and South Islands as a control measure to prevent a North Island invasion. 

"A biosecurity barrier must be put in place within New Zealand at domestic airports and ferry terminals in order to intercept and treat freshwater gear (fishing items, kayaks, boats, 4WD’s etc)  moving within New Zealand," said Rodger. Act”. A second layer of control needs to be put around the Taupo Catchment Fishery in line with the significance of this area for recreational and tourism angling. ”Further, such tools are available within the ‘Border Control measures’ contained within the ‘NZ Biosecurity Act. NOW.

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