25 October 2005

The Department of Conservation and Southland Fish and Game are establishing special fishing controls to reduce the risk of didymo entering Fiordland National Park rivers.

In response to the identification of didymo in some South Island rivers, the two agencies would be imposing fishing conditions in a number of Fiordland National Park rivers.

These controls will also include delaying the start of the fishing season for the Fiordland lake tributaries.

Southland Fish and Game manager Maurice Rodway said anyone fishing these rivers must obtain a fishing permission called the “Fiordland Rivers Sports Fishing Authorisation”.

This authorisation can only be issued by the Southland Fish and Game Council and will be at no cost.

Mr Rodway said fishing for sports fish in the areas identified must not commence before December 3 and could continue until May 31, 2006.

Only anglers holding a current full season sports fishing licence would be eligible to be issued with a Fiordland Sports Fishing Authorisation. 

All anglers who would fish in these waters must clean their gear at an approved cleaning station immediately before each fishing trip and obtain a certificate from this station.

DOC Southland technical support officer Eric Edwards said the certificate stating the gear had been cleaned was only valid for the period of that trip and it must be carried at all times when fishing in any Fiordland National Park river.

Any breach of this could result in a conviction or a fine not exceeding $5000, Mr Edwards said.

“Anglers as much as anyone appreciated the splendour of this park and we are confident they will see this as a means to safeguard the rivers they cherish.”

Mr Edwards said for the policy to work it needed the co-operation and compliance of the anglers as the only other option would be a complete ban.

He said commonsense and personal responsibility was required, for not only anglers but anyone using the Fiordland rivers, to prevent the spread of didymo.

“If you have been near or in any other river make sure your equipment has been extensively cleaned as outlined by Biosecurity New Zealand.”

The invasive alga “rock snot”, or didymo has been identified in Southland's Waiau and upper Waiau rivers as well as the Mararoa and Oreti rivers, the Hawea River and in the Buller River.

The areas covered by the restriction and conditions will be the rivers of Fiordland National Park, excluding the Eglinton River and its tributaries, and the Hollyford River and its tributaries and the Cleddau River and its tributaries.

Other exclusions include the Upper Waiau and Monowai rivers.

Approved cleaning stations so far are Borland Lodge and Tuatapere Service Station. Te Anau approved cleaning stations would be advised as soon as possible, Mr Rodway said.

ENDS

For more information please contact Eric Edwards at the Department of Conservation,
Tel: +64 3 214 4589; or email: eedwards@doc.govt.nz or Maurice Rodway, Manager Southland Fish and Game, Tel: +64 3 215 9117 or email: mrodway@southlandfishgame.co.nz

Additional information: As advised by Biosecurity New Zealand

• Anglers and other users should treat each river they come into contact with as having didymo and take the view that the next river doesn't have it.
• Don't introduce items from one river to another
• To ensure you do not spread didymo or other aquatic pests, wherever possible restrict equipment, boats, clothing and other items for exclusive use in a single waterway.
• Make sure any fish you keep do not come into contact with water from other rivers.
• Didymo was first discovered in the lower Waiau and Mararoa rivers in Southland in October 2004. Then in September 2005 other new discoveries were made in the upper reaches of the Buller River, the Oreti River and the upper Waiau River in Southland, and the Hawea River.
• Biosecurity New Zealand controlled area notices have been issued for the lower Waiau, Mararoa, Travers, Buller, Hawea and Clutha (down to the top of Lake Dunstan) rivers and Lake Rotoiti, people using these rivers and lakes must comply with these notices.
• Didymo has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. It is an offence to spread an unwanted organism with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

Cleaning methods: Biosecurity New Zealand:

NOTE: These methods are subject to change, so please revisit the Biosecurity New Zealand website periodically for the latest version.

1. Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the affected site. If you find any later, do not wash them down drains. Treat them with the approved cleaning methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin.
2. Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (60°C) water, a two percent solution of household bleach or a five percent solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent. A two percent solution is 200 ml, a five percent solution is 500 ml (two large cups), with water added to make 10 litres.
3. Dry: If cleaning is not practical (i.e. livestock), after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.

When applying the above cleaning methods, we recommend that you:

• use biodegradable products
• do not wash cleaning waste into waterways
• choose a cleaning solution from the above choices that will not adversely effect your equipment
• follow manufacturer's safety instructions when using products.

For more information visit Biosecurity New Zealand's website at

www.biosecurity.govt.nz/didymo