Didymo News

The words no one wants to hear ‘didymo has been confirmed in the North Island’ greeted representatives from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, DOC and other stakeholders brought together to participate in a MAF simulation exercise for didymo (Didymo spheniagerminata) in Taupo at the end of May.

The incursion site was kept secret until the last minute, and so provided a ‘real life’ opportunity for the participants to simulate the roles involved in an incursion response. The site on the Mangatepopo River in Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy challenged participants to address conservation values, the needs and requirements of industry and recreational users as well as being a testing area to survey for a didymo incursion.

DOC staff from several Conservancies (Tongariro/Taupo, Otago, and Canterbury) and from Head Office played a crucial role, with their local knowledge and previous didymo experience proving invaluable. Participants were divided into four groups based on their expertise and skills. The day was intensely focussed on determining the extent of the infestation, identifying and contacting waterway users, media liaison, gathering information on the value and hydrological properties of the waterway and investigating regulatory controls that could be employed. All of the information collected was vital in determining what plan of action to take against the incursion. Overall, the simulation was an extremely useful exercise for gaining the experience needed to respond to a real incursion. The day also highlighted the importance of local knowledge, and how valuable established relationships between stakeholders are.