Didymo Stakeholder Update - December 2005

Happenings over the summer period.

Coming into the peak summer period Biosecurity New Zealand and other organisations are rampingup their efforts to ensure people are informed of how they can help to stop the spread of Didymo.

Information packs and posters have now been spread far and wide around the North and South Islands. Packs have been sent to a variety of people on databases including Fish and Game licence holders, DOC concessionaires, Coast to Coast multi-sporters and many more.

Many thanks to those people and organisations that have provided databases and have requested packs and posters to hand out in their region.

New river signage is now being erected around the South Island to reflect the move to a South Island Controlled Area and to promote the check, clean, dry message to people using rivers over the peak summer period.

Radio and newspaper advertising will be continuing over the holidays to capture those enjoying a leisurely reading of the paper on their holidays.

There will be a number of personnel on the rivers over the holiday period handing out Didymo information. This includes:

In conjunction with the Environment Southland, LINZ, Contact, Meridian and DOC public education programme; staff will be on the Buller river (between Reefton and St Arnaud) and on the Southland Rivers (based out of Te Anau)

In conjunction with the Otago Regional Council lakes programme; staff will be on the Hawea, Von and Clutha rivers

Fish and Game honorary rangers will be handing out information during the course of their patrols

DOC staff will be handing out information during the course of their work

Meridian Energy staff will be handing out information on the Waitaki canals

Environment Canterbury staff will be handing out information at the Waitaki lakes

Environment Southland staff will be handing out information on Lake Manapouri and Lake

Te Anau in conjunction with their water safety programme

Biosecurity New Zealand would like to thank all those people that have and are continuing to help to spread the check, clean, dry message, your help and local knowledge has been invaluable.

If you would like additional information packs or posters please e-mail emma.monk@maf.govt.nz.