Didymo Stakeholder Update - 17 September 2007

17 September 2007

The purpose of this update is to keep you all informed about the work underway around both the long-term management partnership and the wider didymo response.

Amendment to Import Health Standard for equipment associated with animals or water

To slow the spread of the invasive alga didymo, in New Zealand waterways MAF Biosecurity New Zealand requires all used freshwater fishing equipment brought into New Zealand to be clean and dry.

From mid-October 2007 MAFBNZ’s Import Health Standard for Equipment associated with Animals or Water will be updated to require MAFBNZ staff to treat all used freshwater fishing equipment they determine or suspect is NOT COMPLETELY DRY (inside and out), regardless of whether it has been cleaned before coming to New Zealand.

Affected most will be felt-soled waders and boots. Recent research has revealed these items pose a particularly high-risk of spreading didymo as they are likely to come into direct physical contact with didymo cells (e.g., stepping on or brushing against algal mats) and the thick, absorbent and slow-drying nature of the material encourages cell survival increasing the risk of spread between waterways.

MAFBNZ is working with the tourism industry and fishing groups/operators to ensure anglers coming to New Zealand are aware of the updated standard and the reasons for it.

More information will be available on the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website shortly.

Regards

Chris Bicknell
Didymo Response Manager
04 894 0521