You can help to protect your favourite Taranaki waterways if you always check, clean then dry all gear when moving between waterways.
Freshwater pests, including exotic plants, algae and fish, can seriously harm environmental, aesthetic and recreational values of Taranaki’s rivers, lakes and streams. Pests can be spread by plant fragments trailing on equipment and inadvertent (or intentional/illegal) movement of fish, aquarium plants and algae. Even a single drop of water from a boat bilge can contain algal cells capable of expanding rapidly in the environment, such as didymo or lake snow.
Check
Check and chuck – take off any bits of weed you can see on your gear
Remove any plant matter from your gear and leave it at the river or lake bank or put it in the rubbish. Don't wash plant material down any drain.
Clean
Clean with a detergent mix, because if you use just cold water you are keeping these weeds and pests alive
Clean any gear that has been in contact with the water, including boots, fishing gear, your boat or trailer.
Use a mix of 10% dishwashing detergent or 2% bleach with water, or use hot water. See the MPI website for more detail about cleaning options for your gear.(external link)
Carefully check areas where freshwater pests could hide, such as jet units, bilge pumps, outboard motor cooling systems, anchor recesses, wheel arches and trailers.
Dry
Dry your gear, if you can, because moisture helps these weeds and pests survive
Make sure your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it dry for at least another 48 hours before you use it. Didymo, for example, can survive for months on moist gear.
The Taranaki Regional Council is working alongside the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation to promote the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’(external link) campaign.
Hornwort poses a serious risk to Taranaki lakes due to its ability to rapidly invade freshwater habitats, crowding out native species, impeding drainage, flow boating access and fishing lines.
Didymo is an invasive and unsightly (cotton wool-like) algae that completely smothers the rocky substrate of pristine rivers and streams. This has severe impacts on ecosystems health and fisheries.
Lake Snow (Lindavia intermedia) is a relatively new freshwater pest. The invasive diatom species can cause algal blooms called lake snow.
Many other exotic plants that may impact upon our waterways. If you have suspicions about any unknown species you encounter, please contact the Council’s Environment Services section.
