Didymo

[8THEB8]

OK. Lets get started with this discussion?
I agree with Shane.
The Minister has not done his job in containment of this nasty, futhermore he continues to apparently ignore the issue by failing to provide any measures that would/could prevent it's spread into the North Island.
I think the numbers Shane quotes are under-done considerably, we are talking billions NOT millions.
On the bright side, there have been reports that in some areas Didymo seems to be dissipating, nature at work? Certainly not the government!
Apathy has allowed Didymo to spread through the South Island. Are we going to let apathy destroy the North Islands fisheries?
Not sure what we as intersted parties can do next?
There must be some message we can deliver that will have some impact, especially with elections coming up. Current Government looks like it's on a hiding to no where. Can we start lobbying the other mob?
Collectively, anglers hold quite a few votes if they decide to work collectively.
So in Shakespearean terms, "Angling in NZ; to be or not to be, that is the question"

[catch N release]

Thanks man, its good to know the very first post agreed with me.
We need to make the public aware of the impact didymo will have and the lack of purpose the government is taking. We are too late for Petitions this is urgent. As I say John Campbell might be interested. I would also like to know if any of the towns down south have been financially effected by Didymo, (downfall in accommodation and fisherman). If they have then it paints a grim picture for the Taupo and Turangi. If anyone can help there it would be much appreciated. Also i want to know if we can sue the Government. Bio Security are meant to protect our boarders, they are certainly not doing ALL THEY CAN about this and so is that a breach in their constitution? Ask some questions guys let get the ball moving and play some hard stuff!!

[8THEB8]

Can you sue government? Yes, gets expensive (option 4 on quota management) and they can beat you badly as they have more resources.
Have just sent a question to Campbell live asking if they had any knowledge of Government activity in stopping the spread of didymo.
One person asking may not work!
If they get many enquiries, it may pique their interest enough to ask some questions themselves.
Try: http://www.tv3.co.nz/TVShows/NewsandCurrentAffairs/CampbellLive/ContactUs/tabid/241/Default.aspx
Copy and paste into your browser address bar and it will take you directly to the feedback page.
Go on.
I challenge all of you to ask the questions and raise awareness of our concerns.
Or , are Shane and I the only ones who are concerned?

[Kotuku]

I think Govt is protected from prosecution under legislation.  Otherwise every smart arse would be suing the PM every 5 mins.  But you can hassle your MP, they will respond to pressure.  Good idea re Campbell Live as well.  I have just added my protest there.
What we NI fisherman have to brace ourselves for is the first outbreak AND the need for a total wipeout of all living organisms in the first stream that gets it.  This is where they went wrong in the SI, they should have killed it dead in the first place or places it was found and then re-stock that stream after the all clear.  There will be Greenies and tree huggers up in arms when we have to do this to any stream, but that is the bold step needed, like they did with the Painted Moth outbreak in Auckland a few years back.
The Govt can fund more research into a safer means of killing the Didymo that is already in place in the SI.

[geoff_fishie]

Bio security could at least do some sort of quarantine on people coming from the south island, like in customs etc. waders could be treated like drugs  i do still think there should be check clean dry bins at all rivers 24 7 though, they may get rubbished by vandals, but DOC can check to keep this from getting out of hand. the south island has been rubbished in terms or tourism. the once great south island wilderness streams which people pay megabucks to fish have been ruined, and so have the guides and moteliers etc that used those waterwyas as a source of tourism. taupo is, i am certain the flyfishing capital of the world. it would go down FAST if something like didymo was to infect it. this is a big part of the governments ECONOMY. new zealands economy rests on maily two things at this time, agriculture and TOURISM. can the government not see that should one go down they would be in a crippled state! same goes for bio security!

[Trout Chaser]

I absolutely endorse Shane's sentiments, sitting back is just not an option, folks get off your rear end and lend your support, if you can't do it verbally then be prepared to pay financially. Because once the disease takes hold each and everyone one os tax payers could end up paying for it. The last thing us fisho's need is another tax on our licenses because of the fact that Government wouldn't or arn't prepared to do something until it is too late. Come on you lot....get in behind Shane and add your support

[jooi]

Shane is correct. Has anybody question the local DOC about any plans that they have? The only way to prevent the north bound migration is not to allow anyone to fish in the North Island from the South Island or overseas. This is not practical or under the  current constituition. If the freshwater biologists can find a solution then, DOC and Fish and Game needs to kill each river one at a time and clear NZ of didymo. This leaves overseas fishos to deal with. With the winter influx of fishos, then the local DOC can take the time and effort ensure that all gear is clean, with education and TV advertising.

[hooked on fishing]

Yeah all you guys have great points  towards this subject. just make sure you always check, clean, dry and make sure you can do everything you possible can to keep this horrible thing out of the north island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im only 15 and i would hate this in all the taupo rivers if it does come to that....so do whatever you can.

[8THEB8]

Just in case you are not sure what we are talking about, here is  a link to the DOC site explaining about Didymo. Apart from explaining the threat, it doesn't actually say what DOC is doing in the main does it? Read for yourself:
 www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=34620
Copy and paste to your browser address bar.

And the politicians seem equally concerned if this speech by Shane Ardern, National Party Biosecurity spokesperson, to a joint meeting of Advocates For The Tongariro River and Federation of New Zealand Freshwater Anglers on 21st October 2007..
  http://tongariroriver.org.nz/view_link.php?id=10
Copy and paste to your browser address bar.

The question in my mind is what are they actually doing about the risk of spread into the North Islands Billion dollar earning fisheries. It's not all about fishing either.

Imagine the 4X4 club that has a rally in/on an infected river in the South and follows up with another rally in the North Island. Just pray they have the sense to thoroughly spray the undersides of their vehicles, or would that be too hard.
How many trampers enjoy walking the rivers etc? Quite a few are tourists bringing money into the economy, do they realise the risk they may causing?

Sorry folks, all measures need to be taken as if we had an outbreak of foot & mouth disease!!

[geoff_fishie]

if there was a bigger hype made about it by both biosecurity and thoe government, we could hope that tourists tagged on to the idea of 'check, clean, dry'. i do not think the odd check clean dry sing around is sufficient (hows a japanese guy sposed to even know what check clean dry means, or any english speaking non fisho for that matter!) however, in some rivers around the north island, there are superb signs with guidelines that show you how to check clean dry and tell you what to do if you spot something that resembles didymo, with images provided. a SMALL step forward would be to put this sign up at ALL acess points to ALL rivers around New Zealand. however, this may not stop the many ignorant chaps that seem to be on our rivers, such as those spinning in the waitahanui!

[catch N release]

Thats a bit better guys and good to see that everyone thinks the same, HOWEVER. Forget about the Check, clean and dry, this is BS and is a failed attempt. If it was working then it would not be in 80 South island Rivers. The government Knows this and have even agreed it is not working. The only possible way to slow it down is to put in the boarder control between islands.

[skankyHO]

Hi Guys
Well as an Aussie this is a no brainer. Coming back in to Australia from NZ we have to hand all of our gear over that could porous and its is either frozen for 30+ days (or something like that) or soaked in 40+ degree water and detergent for 40mins.
And this time when I came back they even soaked the flies I had used.
I'm pretty happy with this because firstly it is keeping didymo out of the country for as long as possible, and secondly I get my gear washed for free.
I think this is the type regime that has to be introduced in NZ between North and South Island. It seems like the South Island is a goner, but keep it out of the Norther Island.
Over here the guys talk about having a second set of gear and leaving in in storge in NZ to use. Others are simply going to Tasmania.
To me it is vandalism to sit back and do nothing except request people to police it themselves. Pure and simple vandalism by neglect.   
You guys have the BEST fly fishing in the world over there, and it is slowly being destroyed by something that is PREVENTABLE.
What the industry needs to do is get a cost report done on recreational trout fishing and put some $$$$ to it and translate that to direct and indirect taxes. Talk is cheap, but money buys that whiskey. And figures will get the government happening. 
Anyway, keep up the fight. It has to start somewhere.
Maybe a link to this forum needs to be posted on fly fishing forums around the world and gather support from where ever we can? 
Shane, keep pushing. This has to happen. If not, didymo WILL happen.

[catch N release]

SkankyHO, (you bastard ROFL), thank you for this post it is much appreciated and shows that intelligent people, (even when Aussie) understand the importance of what has to happen.

You can find me on Gamespace SkankyHO, (shameful Aussie man you)

[Badger]

There are scary prospect for fishing and the fishing industry all over the world because of traveler carried bio hazards, so don't feel we're alone in this. I've been here 3 years now, moved from Colorado, and love the fishing. Didymo happens to be native in Colorado, but has settled in its place in the ecosystem for the most part. (And, no, I did not bring any of it with me. All of my equipment was new or sterilized when I came.) Colorado and most western states in the USA face or have invasions from, Zebra mussels, whirling disease, and New Zealand Mud snails, so the infestations go both ways.

We need to demand from the goverment that they put in place strick controls at our borders. Ban the bringing of any water related equipment, and demand if it is brought, that it is siezed and cleaning when you arrive at the airport. No option to say its already been cleaned. Charge a minimal fee to cover the cost. Personally, with weight restriction on luggage now, not bringing waders and boot is almost a given.

As far as going from the south Island to the north Island. If flying, same rules should apply as above, no waders or boots, declare and have everything else cleaned. On the ferry ride, all outdoor equipment should be cleaned during the voyage, plenty of time to identify while waiting to board and plenty of time to be cleaned and returned during the trip. This should apply to anyone who has been near water, not just Fishos. It should apply to all vehicles as well if necessary.

In the meantime, Police yourself is the first place all of us can start, and then telling our mates is next. Get on the phone or email with your MP or with DOC. Also, pray that the biologist come up with a solution or that nature helps in it own way.

Otherwise, I plan to fish as much as possible as long as possible.

Cheers.

[Troon]

The sentiments expressed by everyone are laudable but it all comes down to personal responsibility in the end. All you have to do is pick up each day's newspaper to see how many of our citizens find taking personal responsibility a foreign concept. It's always someone else's fault!

My electrician is a keen fly fisho. Last year he was discussing fishing with an angler he met in the North Island. This guy had spent the morning fishing in a Didymo infected river in the South Island at the end of a trip. He then boarded a private plane and flew to the North Island (to a private airstrip) and fished that afternoon with the same gear in a pristine river. When my electrician challenged him about not cleaning his gear he looked at him as if he had come from another planet. And the fisherman knew all about the concern over Didymo. So, we can set up cleaning stations at ferry terminals, airports etc but if a fisherman chooses not to disclose that he's got gear that needs cleaning (and with that sort of attitude is hardly likely to do it himself), we are on a hiding to nothing. And it only takes one to start an infestation.