'Rock snot' doesn't just get up your nose
27 November 2009

Imagine a thick layer of brown snotty gunk covering the rocks at your favourite swimming hole, or your line weighed down by a mass of snot-like material at your favourite fly-fishing spot.

That's what could happen if the freshwater algae didymo arrives in Taranaki and becomes established in our wateways.

And it's why swimmers, anglers, kayakers, boaties and others who enjoy the region's waterways are again being targeted this summer in a Taranaki Regional Council didymo education campaign.

A Taranaki Regional Council officer is to visit popular freshwater recreation sites with a message summed up in three words: Check, clean, dry.

Those are the procedures the Council and MAF Biosecurity NZ are urging all river and stream users to adopt in an effort to prevent the spread of didymo. Didymo education campaigns are being conducted by regional councils around the country over summer in partnership with MAF Biosecurity NZ.

Didymo was discovered in South Island waters in 2004. It is not yet known to be in the North Island. It attaches itself to streambeds by stalks and can form large mats on the bottom of streams, rivers and even lake edges.

Thick, ugly growths can adversely affect freshwater fish, plant and invertebrate species. It can be spread easily, with a single cell in a drop of water able to start a new colony if released into a different waterway.

"What's important to realise is that didymo cells are impossible to see, so you don't know whether they're in your gear or not," says the Taranak Regional Council's Director-Operations, Rob Phillips. "So it's vital to follow the 'check, clean, dry' procedure."

People leaving streams, rivers and lakes are urged to:

* Check equipment for any debris and leave it at the site.

* Clean all equpment with detergent, bleach or hot water.

* Dry equipment and do not use it for 48 hours.

All items should be cleaned for at least one minute with a 5% solution of dishwashing liquid or nappy cleaner, dried to the touch and left for another 48 hours before use in another waterway. If this is not possible, restrict their use to one waterway.

Absorbent items require extra treatment, either with prolonged soaking in water heated to 45 degrees or above, or by being frozen solid. People who hold fishing licences are banned from using felt-soled waders or wading boots when angling for sports fish such as trout. The ban applies throughout New Zealand, including the Taupo fishery.

The Taranaki education campaign will involve personal approaches to river users and sessions with organizations such as clubs. It will continue until late March.

The Taranaki Regional Council is part of a Regional Didymo Group that also includes the Department of Conservation, Taranaki Fish and Game and Trust Power.

Information and detergent spray bottles are available at sports shops.

Clubs and other organizations wanting to organize didymo education sessions can call the Taranaki Regional Council on 06 765 7127.

For more information, see www.trc.govt.nz/didymo-rock-snot-
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