Didymo Stakeholder Update - 27 November 2007
27 November 2007
North Island dead cell find investigation
In late October dead didymo cells were found in routine samples taken from the Tongariro,Whakapapa, Mangatepopo and Whanganui Rivers as part of Genesis Energy's regular monitoring programme. The find triggered the implementation of the central North Island partners' didymo action plan involving MAFBNZ, DOC, Genesis Energy, Fish and Game, Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board and the NZ Recreational Canoeing Association. The group was able to respond swiftly to the situation and worked well together.
After repeat sampling of all sites in the area, no didymo DNA, live didymo cells or further dead cells were found.
Both MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) carried out investigations into the origin of the dead didymo cells in samples taken from central North Island rivers. The investigations found that contamination of water sampling container lids with dead cells while in laboratory storage was almost certainly the source of the dead cells found in the samples.
Thorough sampling by NIWA showed that no didymo cells were found on any other equipment associated with the Turangi sampling.
Both the MAF and NIWA investigation reports recommend that additional, more stringent measures are put in place for the storage and supply of equipment used in didymo sampling.
National delimiting survey
Sampling for the didymo national delimiting survey is now almost complete, with partners sampling agreed sites throughout both islands. DNA analysis is being used in the North Island and microscopic analysis in the South. All sample results will be available through the National Didymo Samples Database. Results should all be available before Christmas.
North Island simulation exercise cancelled
MAFBNZ along with its regional partners in Hawkes Bay had planned a North Island incursion simulation exercise for 7 November. The activity following the discovery of dead cells in samples taken from the Tongariro River resulted in the simulation being cancelled. Lessons learned from the Tongariro investigation will be documented and shared, and will inform planning for any future simulation exercise.
0800 Number for reporting all suspect didymo finds
If you see something you suspect is didymo in an unaffected river (or someone else reports a suspected find to you), please report the location of the find to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 809 966. Staff on the 0800 number will take details, and pass on the information to a MAFBNZ staff member. This procedure ensures that all reports are checked and followed up as necessary.
Didymo can be distinguished from other species of algae on the basis of:
- colour - didymo is beige/brown/white but not green;
- touch - although it looks slimy, it doesn't feel slimy, but rather spongy and scratchy like cotton wool;
- odour - live didymo has no distinctive odour;
- strength - didymo is very securely attached to river stones and does not fall apart when rubbed between your fingers.
Definitive identification requires laboratory analysis.
Summary of the first didymo long-term management steering group meeting
In accordance with the requirements of the didymo long-term management (LTM) partnership programme, the didymo long-term management steering group has been formed.
The LTM Steering Group (and the LTM didymo management approach with its regional groups) is a major new forum for interaction among a number of different organisations and regions, which have both common and differing ground. The regional LTM groups, which have been in place since early this year, are by now starting to see the benefits of sharing ideas and resources, and the airing of values and concerns. The Steering Group met for the first time on 26 September in Wellington.
The purpose of the steering group is to:
- provide direction and leadership for the LTM programme;
- be the overall independent champions for the LTM programme;
- evaluate the performance of the LTM programme;
- specify information / reporting needs;
- ensure the aquatic social marketing programme and the didymo LTM programme’s outcomes and objectives are aligned;
- determine research priorities across sectors and regions for promotion to funding providers; and
- revise overall programme outcomes and objectives based on review, as required.
The Steering Group has no role in the day-to-day management of MAFBNZ’s activities. In the event of a North Island incursion the Steering Group will be kept informed on the MAFBNZ response plan, but will not be a formal part of any response governance structure.
Members will bring a national level strategic perspective and understanding of issues relating to the didymo LTM programme rather than representing their respective organisations or regions.
Membership of the steering group is as follows:
| Anna Paltridge | Department of Conservation |
| Bubs Smith | Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board |
| Gerry Clemens | Irrigation NZ |
| Cam Speedy | Genesis Energy |
| Chris Arbuckle | Environment Southland |
| Dave Herrick | Meridian Energy |
| Jeff Donaldson | Otago Regional Council |
| John Sanson | National Coordination Manager, Pest Management Group, MAFBNZ |
| Kate McArthur | Horizons Regional Council |
| Neil Deans | Fish and Game NZ |
| Paul Horgan | Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu |
| Rudi Hoetjes | Fish and Game NZ |
| Wendy Evans | Department of Conservation |
At its first meeting the group confirmed membership, considered the terms of reference for the group and discussed how it wants to approach its various responsibilities.
The steering group considered how to approach its responsibility in respect of determining research priorities across sectors and regions for promotion to funding providers. A working group will convene to conduct a research gap analysis in the first instance.
The group discussed a range of issues and some of these were noted as items for future discussion, including:
- matters of interest to industry, such as irrigators and power generators, in respect of management and compliance costs;
- future funding for partner organisations that do not have access to funding sources, and differences in regional resourcing as the move from Response to Long-Term Management progresses;
- ensuring the aquatic social marketing programme and the didymo LTM programme’s outcomes and objectives are aligned;
- MAFBNZ internal science resourcing and what ongoing resource will be available for didymo work; and
- the role of the steering group in relation to any future incursion response activities, and the linkages to any response management group.
The group plans to hold its second meeting on 14 December. Further meetings are planned for about March and June next year.
Ferry terminal staffing
MAFBNZ has received approval from the managers of the Interislander and Bluebridge ferry terminals in Wellington to have didymo advocacy staff present at the terminal over the summer months. Staff will begin this activity in December. This means that the didymo message will be provided to travellers at both sides of the Strait during the busy season. Staff have been based at the Picton end of the ferries all year and this will continue.
Communications update
Regional social marketing funding
All regional councils have applied for social marketing funding to promote the ‘check, clean, dry’ message over the summer. It is pleasing to see North Island councils on board this year.
Summer programme/collateral
Requests from partners for collateral (posters, information packs etc) to support regional check, clean, dry campaigns are coming in thick and fast.
A resource to help partners understand and reach key target audiences is in the final stages of production and should be distributed in the middle of next month.
Research has revealed that target audiences know the general check, clean, dry decontamination methods but need more detailed information. A ‘pocket guide’ is being developed which outlines detailed cleaning methods for boats, kayaks/canoes, fishing equipment, vehicles, footwear, pets, people etc. The fold-up guide will be printed on water-resistant paper and it is designed to fit into pockets, tackle boxes, and glove boxes, meaning people will have the information at their fingertips out in the field. The pocket guide will be available in mid December.
Events
MAFBNZ attended the Marlborough Boat Show on 18 November with the Marlborough DOC didymo advocates. Other events are scheduled throughout the summer.
Regional group visits
Jeremy Lambert, Acting Director Communications has met with a number of regional groups to discuss the check, clean, dry social marketing programme.
Didymo knowledge sharing
In the last three years New Zealand has amassed a large amount of research, information, knowledge and experience with didymo. MAFBNZ has contracted Starfish Consulting to collate, organise and present didymo information that has been gathered since the organism was first detected in Southland in October 2004. Starfish Consulting will collate existing knowledge about didymo and present it in ways that are accessible and which meet the needs of those wishing to use it.
Starfish will work closely with MAFBNZ, other didymo long-term management partners and interested parties to discuss what information they have and what information or tools they would like to have in relation to the long term management of didymo.
The project will go through the following phases:
Phase |
Actions |
Outcomes |
Timing |
Knowledge gathering |
Meetings with people involved in
|
Establish
|
December and January |
Design |
|
|
February and March |
Delivery |
|
|
April |
Close out |
|
|
May 2008 |
Further research on Gemex™ control tool
Three research projects on the Gemex™ control tool are underway. The three projects include:
- a review of the Princhester Creek treatment study;
- further work into the effects of Gemex™ on non-target species; and
- the development of a decision making tool to help didymo partners determine which waterways could potentially be treated with Gemex™.
The results of the three research projects will be available by the end of the financial year. Partners and stakeholders may be approached for information to assist with the three projects.
River recreation survey by University of Otago School of Physical Education
MAFBNZ has received a request from the School of Physical Education at Otago University to assist them with gaining respondents to a survey they are conducting about the use of rivers for recreation in a range of activities. We have agreed to pass this request on to you because of your interest in rivers. The research will help everyone know more about river users.
An invitation from the researchers is attached, and provides the web link to the survey. The researchers are particularly targeting leaders of:
- recreation clubs and associations;
- outdoor training centres;
- commercial operators; and
- professional organisations
who may be willing to distribute the invitation via their own networks or to place information about the survey on their group’s website or in newsletters.
In addition, they are targeting employees who have river recreation-leaning job descriptions and may have email lists at their finger tips such as:
- high schools and polytechnics ;
- government agencies; and
- district and regional councils.
We hope you do not mind our passing on this request to you. It is entirely up to you whether you choose to participate or to pass the request on to others.
To report an exotic pest or disease, call the MAF Emergency Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66
Invitation from the University of Otago to participate in survey
Rivers are one of New Zealand’s greatest resources. As you may have heard through the media, the School of Physical Education at Otago University is conducting a nationwide survey soliciting the opinions of river recreation users. We invite individuals from all around New Zealand to complete an online survey about their use of rivers for recreation in a range of activities. Please click here now to register ONLINE 
We want to know who uses New Zealand rivers and for what purposes – the depth of experience within your personal river recreation, what motivates you, what features of the river are particularly important and what rivers you actually use.
You have received this e-mail because of either your involvement with a river-related organisation or because we think you might be interested in completing the survey or know of others who should complete the survey. Please click here NOW to register online to complete survey .
Right now the survey is LIVE, online and available for you and your membership, colleagues and friends to fill out. We anticipate the survey taking 20-25 minutes.
By completing the survey, you will have the chance to WIN a Bliss-stick Whitewater kayak amongst a range of high value prizes on offer such as … Click here for the latest UPDATE of prizes available!
DO pass on this email to other relevant people – friends, colleagues – networks you are part of.
For more information on the whole project, check out our website www.riversurvey.otago.ac.nz
Thank you again - your input is an extremely valuable to contribution to what we know about how people use and value New Zealand's rivers.
The New Zealand River Recreation Survey team
For more information contact:
Dr. Shayne Galloway
Shayne.galloway@otago.ac.nz
Louis Brown
louis.brown@otago.ac.nz