Didymo

[catch N release]

Hey troon,
Thank you for the reply, this is a post that i have been waiting for. I will not be too harsh on you for fear of scaring other debaters away. However!
This is another reason why it is spreading, not the rich overseas traveler who sneaks from the South to the North after fishing infested water, but the angler or Average New Zealander who believes "we have Didymo and should await the inevitable" CRAP man, wrong attitude. there is a 35 odd Kilometer stretch of SEA WATER separating the two Islands, and the North ain't got it yet. As for the pilot of the chartered plane, well there should be a HUGE LIFE CRIPPLING FINE and or IMPRISONMENT for any operator knowingly moving from one water way to another within infected boundaries, without cleaning gear, and police it!!! See how fast that changes a few attitudes!
Quite simple on this idea guys. Have business or sports shops on the South island that have the legal authority to clean all fishing gear and waders then seal them and tag them. On boarding a flight or ferry then you have to declare ALL water borne sports gear to customs. They check the seal and the paper work then you are through. Boats, kayaks, bikes, or anything that is big, is sprayed at a station by the ferry terminal, again a clean certificate must be presented. Bloody Simple and effective. User pays as well, if you want to use it in the North then you have to pay to have it cleaned. Someone will make a business out of it! All Season licenses are to have this new RULE added, highlighted and explained carefully when sold!!
How much to set this up and put in motion guys, some one help me please! lets throw 5 million at it to start with. FFS we are going to loose at least of 74,000,000 per year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been to my MP, nice guy, very busy on other projects and doesn't have a clue about Didymo, yes yes thats right I live in Taupo the place most likely to be effected!!!
The Governments big come back on the North, South Boarder idea, is that they say "migrating birds MAY bring it to the North. I use the word MAY as there is NO evidence of this. They have rolled over and given up because of a MAYBE, you pussies!
Think of this as a war guys, Didymo is the enemy. It has invaded and taken over the South, the North is untouched as we speak. We put up strict, strong defenses on this side of the channel and fight it from here. This will hopefully give the scientists time to study it and find a way to control or eradicate it. What we do NOT do is leave our boarders open for it to stampede through.
Troon I thank you again and I hope what i have said gives you some hope in this matter. All is not lost yet but we do need a plan!

[David Cade]

Well hello, Shane spoke to me the other day about this site and I was keen to join as my work is in this field.  For the record I am employed by DOC, work out of Turangi and after some wag christened me Didymo Dave I seem to be more commonly known by that name these days.
I have read a lot of your emails and they are encouraging, believe me, when your attempting to educate people about changing their behaviour day after day it is nice to read such positive messages.
However after reading the messages I would like to make a few points:
1) Birds.  There is absolutely no evidence that birds, waterfowl, ducks, swans, whatever are moving Didymo.  If you have a look at the incursion map on the Biosecurity website you will see that although there are now Didymo incursions throughout the South Island, there is still a lot of areas within areas untouched. This leads DOC to believe that A) If birds were responsible, it would be everywhere by now.
       B) If birds were moving it, they would already have brought it into the North Island.
So I don't believe birds are shiftin it, I believe it is humans.
2) The CHECK CLEAN DRY policy is not well understood in the North Island, in fact it wasn't until I visited the South Island in January that I understood it.  Didymo is as serious a threat as everyone says, but so are other weeds, some in NZ and some in other countries.  So CHECK CLEAN DRY is aimed at a behavioural change for all fresh water users to protect waterways across the board.  As an example, Lake Rotoaira has Lagarosiphon and Hornwort.  Otamangakau has Lagarosiphon but not Hornwort and Lake Kuratau has ZERO introduced weeds.  This is a perfect example of the need for CHECK CLEAN DRY within the Taupo area.
Further to this I saw Didymo growing on lagarosiphon in the Clutha river.  And, looking to the future, if one of a number of acquatic weeds not currently in NZ were to breach our borders, it may not show up down south like Didymo did.  It might kick off right here in the central North Island.  If we embrace CHECK CLEAN DRY, and by we I mean all users of freshwater ( fishermen, dog owners, water skiers, multisport athletes etc etc etc ) I believe it will serve us well, stopping the movement of current acquatic weeds, Didymo and as a very good insurance policy for the future.  The trick is to get freshwater users to buy into it............
3) A number of you have made comments about how to stop Didymo and keep it in the south island.  Here, from my experience are a few things I have learned
 A) There is massive concern about the interisland situation and rightly so.  On my travels south I went through Taupo, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports.  The situation may have changed now some 4 months later but at that time Taupo was the only airport with any signage at all that I could see.  Glenn McLean has an article in the latest Target Taupo about STILL NO DIDYMO I think it is called.  The situation he talks about with the wetsuits out of Lake Hawea is correct, I dipped them.  B) The yellow Didymo bins are not working on the riverbanks etc very well at all.  Graham Marks has one chained to a lampost on HeuHeu parade on the lower Tauranga Taupo and I have cleaned it out twice because people put rubbish in it.  Same with the one that the people at Ika Nui in Turangi have.  We can't seem to stop them being used as bins.   C) One on one education on the riverbank, boat ramp, ski lanes, speaking to service clubs, working with schools is far and away the best method of education.  D) Signs. mmm??  If you wonder at the effectiveness of signs, just ask someone what is in the bottom left hand corner of a Taupo fishing licence.  You will get a feel for how well signs work.
Have fun, Shane is right, we are at WAR with sucker, but we can win.
David

[Troon]

Excellent stuff Dave. I totally agree with your comments re signs. Generally people don't take any notice of them unless it's offering something for free. Take stop signs - very few do but it's only one four letter word. For me, your key point is getting people to buy into it and there is the problem. The average Kiwi that Shane refers to basically doesn't give a stuff.

Shane I don't disagree with your sentiments and totally agree that it's war. But you've said "we" need a plan.  If that plan includes making sure that nothing that's been near a river in the South escapes cleaning you are talking about the will of politicians to make the necessary law changes. I feel a Tui billboard coming on. Frankly it's just not a vote getter in fact most of them would see it as a turn-off for voters who could be held up at airports and ferry terminals for hours while everybody's gear is checked - and that's the extent to which you would have to go because how do you find little Johnny's wet sneakers without going through his bag (he sure as hell isn't going to declare them if it means standing in a queue for hours).

I think the apathetic response you got from your MP says it all. Doesn't have a clue about it and cares less. But if everyone in the electorate suddenly said - we'll vote for you if you introduce all these measures to control didymo he'd probably have a sprayer in hand before you could say Bellamy's lunch.

Apart from the challenge of politicians I think it behoves all of us to challenge others who use our waterways to check, clean & dry - as Dave has said it's not just didymo that this message is aimed at.

And thanks Shane for being gentle with me!!!!!!

[catch N release]

well no its not little Johny's sneakers in the back of a car, that probably will  be dry the next time he wears them, that is going to bring didymo into the North Island Troon. It's more likely fisherman and boaties, and we can stop that. By the way the inconvenience of a wait while you go through customs far out ways the collapse of our fishery the closing of business, towns and a huge blow to tourism. I am sure you are aware of this though. Every tourism add ever developed for overseas viewers shows clear running rivers and maybe the shot of a happy fisherman.  Try bringing fisherman from overseas here when the rivers like the Ruakituri, , Rangitikei, Tongariro and a Hundred other of our WORLD class rivers are full of Didymo. Then watch the towns like Turangi and Taupo slowly collapse. Unemployment on a huge scale. We can't let the government roll us over on this one, and believe me by the end of this it will be a re a election issue, mark my words. Why would i vote back into power a government that has done sweet F a to stop this and are quite happy to watch the countries beautiful natural assets go down the gurgler without a proper fight. I have a plan and need a little time to implement it.

[Magpie]

Hi all,
Being a novice fisherman (compared to you guy's) I totally agree with all your comments.....especially with shane's about the little boy with his shoes etc
which is a problem, in terms of how the bloody hell are we going to stop it!!!!!.....essentially we can't...sorry not trying to be a defeatist but we all have to eccept that somehow this is going to hit the north island.
In saying that I feel that OUR focus should be on the folowing:

1. continue trying to stop it.
2.develop way's of eradicating it.

We need to be lobbying the govt to fund research, to sort this crap out ....NOW!!! because in realality this will take time...so the sooner we start the better.

I feel that this is the only way to protect the wonderful waters that we have....which are renown worldwide & a  lucky few of us it is our home and livelyhood.

Sorry i am a novice but I want to become an expert & i want my kids to be able to!!!

Cheers

[catch N release]

Great reply Magpie, thank u

[David Cade]

Hi Fellow Caring People, thought I would post a report of a day in the life of a DOC person working on Didymo so you can have an idea of what we actually do.
Started the day by checking my traps on the Hinemaiaia, 1 more rat to add to the total of this project I do in my own time.  Then fished myself till 7.45am landing a nice freshie for my tea.
Began my work for the day up Kiko Rd checking for anglers jumping the fence and skipping through the forest.  The reason for this focus goes back to the Didymo scare last October.  Up till then DOC had been actively discouraging people from trespassing through the forestry to gain access to the Tauranga - Taupo but after spending time driving up and down Kiko Rd in the middle of that scare trying to intercept fishermen trying to be clever it received a lot more attention.  After that I spent 3 hours in the main Tauranga - Taupo carpark.  Spoke to numerous fishermen, partners & dogs.  Had one interesting conversation with a fisherman who like a lot of you are slightly peeved over the Didymo issue.  He was not happy and let me have it.  But in the end, after explaining CHECK CLEAN DRY and talking through the issues he let me clean his gear and off he went, happily to fish the Hinemaiaia.  I get this sort of reaction quite often and to be honest I don't really mind as most of the people are just so frustrated that they need someone to vent some of that on.  Anyway I gave him my card and look forward to meeting him again as his comments were well thought out points and he was a nice person.
Then covered the lower Tauranga - Taupo below the bridge before heading to the top carpark on the upper Hinemaiaia.  Worked my way down the stream, talking to fisherman, guides, picking up the rubbish in the carparks, plus the nylon and placing CHECK CLEAN DRY brochures under the wipers of any cars that I had not spoken to the drivers.  Met one fisherman by the Cliff Pool who was heading upstream, been on the Tongariro and didn't realise he needed to clean his gear.  So out came the sprayer and away he went with clean gear, a brochure and his own spray bottle.
Then talked to people in the main carpark by the bridge, checked the upstream carpark on the true right bank before relocating to Waitahanui.  Spoke to 3 fishermen in the Bridge Pool, handing out bottles, brochures etc to one then a fisherman at the rip carpark who was going fishing and was home at 3.50pm, an 8 hour day today.  Tomorrow will be a longer day, beginning on the Tongariro and then working my way home.
Cheers, look forward to meeting some of you out there.
David

[Troon]

Sorry Shane -  if you are ignoring Johnny's sneakers (or Janet's) or Billy's boogy board, or Dad's felt sole waders (that may be under mum's stuff in the front seat or in the campervan and may or may not dry out) that they've just used in the Wairau you are leaving a gap. If you are serious it's all or nothing at "border" (airport/ferry terminal/whatever).

That means you have to search everyone that wants to cross the strait (they are not going to volunteer) and frankly the public are not going to wear it. You have already said that you would like to know what impact didymo has had on the South Island economies so I would suiggest that you also establish the public's appetite for being held up for hours at airports/terminals/whatever.  Remember most of these people are not fishos and don't give a monkeys about didymo.  These sorts of measures require legislation - like it or not.  And legislation is the domain of politicians. You need to be pointing the finger at the politicians (and your local one obviously doesn't care - what does that tell you about the support you have).  Politicians only care about things that are "sexy" and will ensure they remain in power - anything else is irrelevant and don't count on a chnage of Government). We as fishos can only do so much - at the end of the day the lawmakers need to be sufficiently motivated to do something.

End of my ranting - Didymo is a curse and I will wholeheartedly support what Shane wants to do as I am sure my Angling Club will.

[catch N release]

Jeez Dave you get around!! Dave's work with Didymo is just another example of how fragile the situation is. David Cade is one of the most caring, dedicated people DOC could ask for, in my opinion he should be full time employed. Nice going on the trapping in the lower Hinemaiaia Dave. Less rats and stoats means more bird life and that is always a good thing! Thanks man.
Also thank you Troon, your honest posts have given me a look into what lies ahead, if we are to sway the politicians. Bloody hard task and one which I shudder at, (I'm busy enough as it is) without fighting this. However I have started and will see it through now.
My response to the boogie board and felt soled waders getting through customs is this. Fines and confiscation of goods. Patrol it as well. People would have to realize that the North is a water activity quarantine zone. When you check into the ferry terminal you could have two check in sites, one of those being water activities. The rods reels and waders that have already been washed and sealed are quickly looked at to make sure the seal is un broken and you are through. Remember troon we are not looking for small items. Most people do not get off the inter islander and step straight away into a North island river, UNLESS they are a fisherman, and that is where the main risk comes from, DO we agree? If so then these members of the public are easy to target. Yes we need to make the politicians pass this Bill but we need the support of the public to put pressure on them first, otherwise it is never going to happen. For a start why don't we unite the New Zealand Fishing clubs, there is an immediate couple of thousand, then with all the other organizations like  the Advocates for the Tongariro river and u have a fairly large force behind you. So again Taupofishing members if you have an address of someone you think we could use, a club that would help back us or anything, send it to me and I will make contact and let them know what we are doing here and ask for their support. Then when we have the attention of the public we force the Government,(who are sworn to upheld us!!) to spend OUR money in the right direction.
You are not a ranter Troon and your points are more than valid, but I am not going to accept Didymo into the North Island without a bloody good scrap!

[catch N release]

I would LOVE to hear from some South Islanders on this. Is it effecting business or any other tourism down there? What is the fishing like in the effected rivers?
ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!
If we are going to persuade  the public and then the Government we need some facts. Didymo Dave, Help!!!!

[David Cade]

Hi Guys, just come from a meeting of the CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND DIDYMO COMMITTEE held in Turangi.  Haven't got a lot of time today but will post on here some of the subject matter discussed on here over next few days.
A few points, the photo of me in the latest Target Taupo which was mailed last week at the Kinloch fishing tournament with the questions on the white board is having an unexpected resaponse.  Have alrerady received mail addressed to me personally at DOC wanting the answers!!!
Will get some info to you on effects in the South Island, but essentially Didymo is not affecting the fish, rather the ability to fish for them.  Will give you some practical " Taupo possibilities " of that next time I log on. Also remember that Didymo is not acting in a uniform manner, how it behaves in one river is different to another.  I'll come up with some info on that too, but have tried to cover this point in the article in Target Taupo.
Remember to keep in mind that there are people, some very passionate about their opportunities to walk on the riverbanks in our area ( and all areas ) with clean water in the rivers.  Some of the most ardent Didymo/Acquatic weed campaigners are not regular fishermen or fisherwoman and Susie Birch of Hatepe is a classic case.
Finally, although we have some work to do with the lawmakers of our beautiful country don't neglect the opportunities for work on our doorstep.  Spent 9 hours yesterday on the Tongariro, lower Tauranga Taupo and Hinemaiaia.  Anytime I can empty the big sprayer I have in my car TWICE in ONE DAY on anglers moving between rivers tells me we have work to do!!!
Cheers
David
     

[bloodclot]

Scarey days  ahead for all waterways , many questions unanswered! This  sounds more like an international  problem requiring immeadiate response from governments from both islands Australia and New Zealand our  waterways are a precious !!  With  the looming  threat of total wipeout of  fish stocks im surprised with what i've read so far of the reluctance of both governments to tackle this isidious disease, i wont go into the cost envolved here to the fishing/tourisim industries cause i dont think i could  count that high but it's obvious that the cleanup will have its own costs as well ........... the north and south island fisherman need to unite and go represented to parliment via the formal channels but also get the media envolved in this push as well...... my god  what will we leave our  kids and there kids more aquariums filled with native fish of a by-gone  era? whats being  done  to preserve fish stocks now ?? is there an aquaculture industry developing and  raising  fish stock numbers ? fishermen unite !! NOW!! talk more to the experts in these fields ask the question......... deliver a load of this  "rocksnot" to the steps of parliment in numbers , ring every politician and nibble there ear , are they even aware of this scurge that threatens 2 countries so far??? the media is a weapon of the people that care and want   action  in response to this waterway nightmare..........bring attention to this , highlite it  to the international media so the word is spread cause ive not  heard a word on this in southern Australia (Adelaide) where the fishing industry/aquaculture is on a (boomtime) if only we all knew just how  close  this  enemy really is ......... containment of it would  work but the reality is that some fisherman as stated previously in other topics just dont  do the clean up required after a session and will jump on that plane  and  fish elsewhere the very same  afternoon on the other island. care facter of  zero ? i dont  think so ignorence is bliss more so(never me) but  controlling of all fishing/watersport products for transport be totally banned between islands. How else are we to control it   real investigations are required here  by both countries because some day i'd like to fish these  New Zealand waterways myself to experience natures best game with a fly rod. This  should be of great concern to both countries because of the destruction it  brings forth to fishstocks and livelyhoods not to mention how  we explain to future generations our lack of action to the enviroment we all live in ........fish included !!

[catch N release]

Thank you Bloodclot, (interesting name for a fisho).

Ok so there are 98 of you registered for the Forum and twelve of you posted about this. I'm a little surprised about that!

As I am finding out FAST, no one wants to do whats right here, it seems to be in the"too hard basket". You were right there Troon!

David Cade apparently has some info on new things emerging but I get the feeling he may not be able to tell the public yet.

On the latest report from The Tongariro River Motel, Ross just said that the Government is not giving Bio Security any money this year to fight Didymo. How sad! I swear to God Labour will never get my vote again. Think about your favorite piece of water when you step into the voting pole this election and think about what Labour HASN"T done to protect it. Is there a party out there that has a sound environmental policy for the country. If there is they will get my vote, we need someone on the inside who has a thought for the countries natural assets.

[8THEB8]

Hey Catch
Ya shouln't be surprised. Apathy is part of the Kiwi ethos and "She'll be right" way of life. Sorry it seems to have changed from looking out for your mates, as evidenced in Anzac day interviews. The spirit lives on in those guys and those touched by their endeavours. Todays bunch seems to have a "Bugger you lot, I'm all right" philosophy.
Pretty damn poor in my opinion.
Folks just have to keep in mind, "What goes around, comes around". This one is surely going to bite us all on the butt. That goes for the politicians as well.
You can bet they know what the answers are.
Problem is the solution/s would cause too much 'grief' to the "I'm allright" group.
Looks like the Emu's view of the world has evolved into keeping ones head in ones rear orifice so all one can see is shite!
Wonder how many e-mails got sent to TV3?
We will ALL bluddy well care when it's too late!!!

[Kotuku]

On passing into Australian Customs Hall a couple of weeks back, it was interesting to see the Biosecurity signs about water borne pests like Didymo and cautions to wash all gear.  Likewise coming back into NZ yesterday.  Lots of signs in the Auckland Airport baggage claim area but I am not sure if anyone reads them and more to the point what the DOC staff do.  It would be interesting to get a definitive answer from the Airport Security people as to what their attack plan is, on finding waders and/or fishing gear on a person.  They ALWAYS used to take your tramping boots away from you and any camping gear they saw via X-Ray (and wash/disinfect them), I wonder if waders sends off alarm bells??
At least there is some small effort going on with signs