Didymo Stakeholder Update - May 2009

1 May 2009

Didymo Long Term Management (LTM) Programme

The Didymo LTM Programme Steering Group is required to periodically review the Didymo Long Term Management programme, and the Steering Group recently commenced its first review of the programme. The review will:

  • consider the effectiveness of the long-term management programme in achieving its stated objectives; and
  • identify any changes that are required to ensure the programme actions remain relevant and will support broadening the programme to management of other freshwater pests.

A survey will be sent out to regional groups shortly seeking feedback on the programme and the survey results will be used to inform the review.

The review will be discussed again at the next Steering Group meeting scheduled for 10th June 2009.

Draft Framework for a North Island Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) Incursion Response

The Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) North Island Incursion Response Operations Manual October 2007 was developed as a guideline for management of a response to a North Island didymo incursion. This manual was written before the programme transitioned to long term management and before the MAFBNZ Response System was developed.

The document has been up-dated and titled (draft) Framework for a North Island Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) Incursion Response. The purpose of this document is to provide a framework outlining how a response to a didymo incursion in the North Island will operate, in particular to assist regional partners in preparing for a potential response. The document includes defining the resources partners in the programme will need to provide in the case of a North Island incursion.

The draft version has been circulated to the Didymo LTM Steering Group and Regional Group coordinators. It is expected to be finalised by the Steering Group at their next meeting in June.

Review of Wet Transfer Protocols workshop

The Didymo LTM Steering Group identified transfers of fish and related activities as a potential risk activity for movement of didymo and other pests, and agreed to undertake work to address these risks. Key people from Department of Conservation, Ministry of Fisheries, Regional Councils, Fish & Game, industry, and MAFBNZ attended a workshop held on 7th April 2009. The workshop focussed on opportunities to:

  • improve coordination and information sharing across agencies
  • streamline processes within existing regulatory frameworks - complexity is acknowledged as a barrier to compliance by those undertaking transfers
  • improve access to process information and protocols by those undertaking transfers.

A follow up workshop is scheduled for late May, and the outcomes will be reported to the Steering Group in June.

Research gaps analysis

NIWA are beginning the process of scoping key unanswered didymo research questions identified by the didymo LTM Steering Group. The research briefs that NIWA prepare will be used by the Steering Group to seek funding for this research.

Check Clean Dry Advisory Group (CCDAG)

The next CCDAG meeting will be held in Wellington on Tuesday 9th June 2009. The meeting will consider early feedback from this year’s Check Clean Dry campaign evaluation, look at new templates for featuring priority regional pests alongside didymo in signage, view the updated Check Clean Dry DVD, and plan campaign delivery for the upcoming financial year.

Regional Summer Advocacy reports

The regional summer advocacy reports have come in; we will be putting these on didymo.net so that regions can share summer programme ideas. We will also collate the reports and pull out ideas that worked well, and new innovations that could be replicated in other regions. A collated report will be distributed in early June to help with regional summer planning.

Key MAFBNZ staff involved in the Didymo Programme

Corinna Bennett has been the coordinator of the Didymo Long Term Management programme since July 2008. Corinna is an Advisor in the Pest Management Group and is the first point of contact for all enquires relating to the long term management programme.
Contact Details: (04) 894 5534 or didymo@maf.govt.nz

Ranuka Robinson is an Adviser in the Pest Management Group and works closely with Corinna on the Didymo programme.
Contact Details: (04) 894 0281 or didymo@maf.govt.nz

Matthew Thorpe is a Communications and Marketing Advisor in the MAFBNZ Communications and Information Services Directorate. Matthew is the first point of contact for information about the Check, Clean, Dry social marketing programme and the Check, Clean, Dry Advisory Group.
Contact Details: (04) 894 0276 or Matthew.Thorpe@maf.govt.nz