Didymo News

On the 1st October 2006 the Central North Island ‘STOP DIDYMO’ Campaign was launched at Lake Tarawera to coincide with the start of the new fishing season. ‘Clean, Check, Dry’ demonstrations were conducted and Didymo decontamination bottles were distributed.

Since then the ‘Stop Didymo’ public awareness and education campaign has focused on intercepting high risk parties travelling between waterways and more specifically, those travelling to the North Island from the South Island (Controlled Area).
Highlights include:

• Contract staff were employed throughout the North Island to educate river users and intercept high risk vectors at popular North Island rivers and lakes. The programme was developed and implemented by regional action groups that were created in the lead up to the holiday period. The groups were formed as a partnership between DoC conservancies, regional councils, Fish & Game, Iwi and industry. Staff were employed at Wellington ferry terminal, Waikaremoana, Hawke’s Bay, Taupo/Tongariro and Bay of Plenty to intercept travellers, anglers and recreationists and to help spread the ‘Clean, Check, Dry’ message
• Didymo Signs and Wash Stations were distributed to the various river and lake sites, fishing related accommodation providers, sports retailers and fresh water activity providers across the North Island
• Licence agents in the Taupo Fishing District and Eastern and Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game regions are distributing cleaning bottles and information to anglers as they buy their licence.
• Air charter operators throughout the Central North Island, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Bay of plenty regions have been provided characteristic Yellow Cleaning Bins so clients can clean their gear before and after each trip

Thanks to everyone for the hard work in the lead up to Christmas and over the holiday period. It was a critical time and it was essential that we do everything possible to keep Didymo out. The ‘Stop Didymo’ message has come together with vigour and is far more visible than ever before. Keeping Didymo out of the North Island is a huge job but at last we are making some real progress!!