Didymo detected in two upper South Island rivers

DATE 18 January 2007

Didymo detected in two upper South Island rivers

Didymo has been detected in two more rivers at the top of the South Island, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.

Positive finds were made in the Pelorus River at a site about halfway between the Pelorus Bridge and Canvastown, with another find in the Speargrass River further inland.

The Pelorus find was made during the survey being undertaken by the Department of Conservation as a result of the discovery of didymo in the Takaka River in December and was microscopic. The Speargrass find was confirmed after a report by a member of the public and was in the early stages of bloom.

Biosecurity New Zealand continues to encourage all users of New Zealand’s freshwaters to Check Clean and Dry all items that come in contact with the water between different waterways to help prevent the spread of the invasive alga and will be conducting a nationwide survey of high–use recreational rivers of about 140 sites in late January.

ENDS

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