1 February 2006

Anglers and trampers will have company on Fiordland National Park rivers as the Department of Conservation and Southland Fish and Game look to increase compliance monitoring for didymo controls.

The agencies will introduce extra surveillance measures over the coming weeks to ensure anglers and trampers abide by the recently introduced regulations.

Special conditions were established late last year to reduce the risk of didymo, other wise known as rock snot, from reaching Fiordland National Park rivers.

These conditions included the introduction of special fishing controls such as the Fiordland Fishing Authorisation and for gear to be disinfected at an approved cleaning station prior to every trip.

Southland Fish and Game manager Maurice Rodway said with the peak fishing season about to get underway it was important anglers abided by the controls which were initiated for the benefit of everyone.

“Already we are seeing the impact didymo is having on other rivers, making them unpleasant, slimy places which were virtually unfishable with spin fishing gear. We don't want to see this happen in Fiordland.”

Since the end of November Fish and Game had issued 650 fishing authorisations and cleaning stations were reporting a steady number.

DOC Southland technical support officer Eric Edwards said it was not only anglers, but tourism and other commercial operators who had a role to play in stopping the invasive alga from becoming established in Fiordland National Park rivers.

“It is in everyone's interest to safeguard this unique and special place. There is no room for complacency or leniency.”

Milford track was a popular walk with many stopping for a spot of fishing, Mr Edwards said.

“We will continue to work with track wardens, who have been vigilant in making sure the fishing regulations are adhered to and appropriate authorisation has been obtained.”

Mr Edwards said wardens had been busy talking to anglers and trampers about didymo and educating them on the measures required to prevent spread.

“If didymo did become established in Fiordland National Park rivers it would have an adverse effect on the habitat on some of area's freshwater species, including the endangered whio (blue duck).”

Biosecurity New Zealand are asking for freshwater users to check, clean and dry items between waterways to limit the spread of didymo.

ENDS

For more information please contact Eric Edwards at the Department of Conservation Tel: +64 214 4589 or Maurice Rodway at Fish and Game Tel:+64 3 215 9117.

Additional information:

• Extra surveillance measures include an increased presence of rangers from the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game on the tracks and in the park's river valleys.

• The cost of ignoring the regulations comes with a hefty price tag - a $5000 fine, however the environmental cost of spreading didymo into the rivers of the country's largest national park was far greater.
• The whio is a river specialist which inhabits clean, fast flowing streams in the forested upper catchments of New Zealand rivers. They occur nowhere else in the world.
• Whio have been steadily declining in Fiordland over the last 30 years. Stoat control has significantly increased the survival rate of whio but the population needs a boost to reach sufficient numbers.

More information on the blue duck/whio