Didymo News

After a huge amount of laboratory testing a potential control tool has been developed by NIWA. Chelated Copper has been extremely good at killing Didymo in laboratory conditions while having little impact on indigenous flora and fauna. As a consequence of these encouraging results, field trials are currently being undertaken in the South Island.

In addition, ERMA have approved the use of Chelated Copper in emergency situations. It must be stressed that the copper control tool will almost certainly not enable Didymo to be eradicated from rivers where it is currently present. It may, however, be effective in controlling Didymo at key locations or enable a new incursion to be treated – if it is detected early enough.