Inter-island travellers get the Check, Clean, Dry message
A jet-ski in the queue for the inter-island
ferry in Wellington is certified as
'checked, cleaned, dried' by Rebecca Smith.
Tens of thousands of inter-island ferry passengers in Picton and Wellington were given the Check, Clean, Dry message as part of the summer freshwater biosecurity campaign.
The campaign focuses on didymo, which has only been found in South Island rivers. While scientists are working on ways to control and possibly even eradicate the microscopic pest (see page 4), all freshwater users are being asked to check, clean and dry aquatic equipment after use. This means a behaviour change for many people, and an extensive, long-term communications campaign to address this commenced last year.
Research by ACNielson revealed that didymo was seen by many North Island water users as a 'South Island problem' as it has only been found in South Island rivers. Complacency like this is a real risk to the didymo control programme.
To address this perception, the didymo response team, with the help of Fish and Game, regional councils, the Department of Conservation, and water user groups have extended the Check, Clean, Dry campaign to include the North Island. Tactics include signage at rivers and lakes, field staff and cleaning stations at popular sites.
Steve Smith, Manager of Fish and Game New Zealand’s Eastern Region, is helping coordinate North Island communications activities.
"While there is a high level of awareness of didymo in the North Island, compliance levels were low because the risk was perceived as greater in the South Island, where didymo has been positively identified. People need to understand the implications of didymo and take the same precautions after using rivers and lakes," he says.
During January, the campaign stepped up to reach travellers on the inter-island ferries. Mr Smith says it was a good way to reach water users travelling between the islands at peak holiday time.
"One of the key aspects of the activity at the Wellington terminal is to ensure travellers to the South Island knew before they get there how to behave around fresh water.
"It was also a good way to reach independent travellers from overseas. Camper van travellers move around a lot and enjoy parking up next to rivers and lakes."
Staff at Picton and Wellington Interisland Line terminals handed out information to vehicular and foot passengers. They paid particular attention to travellers with boats and other aquatic equipment such as fishing gear and kayaks – especially those heading north who had used rivers in the week prior to travel. The team estimates they reached 90 percent of the 2,000 vehicles passing through the terminals each day.
Biosecurity New Zealand’s Matthew Thorpe was on duty at the Wellington ferry terminal. He says most people had heard of didymo but were keen for more information on how they could do their bit.
"Being at the ferry terminal was a great opportunity to get the didymo message to directly to water users. They weren't hard to spot – especially the vehicles towing boats and jet-skis."
Along with the ongoing work out in the field, competitors and visitors to the Maadi Cup rowing regatta at Karapiro, and a number of boat shows and fishing competitions around the country will also be targeted with the Check, Clean, Dry message.
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Page last updated: 30 April 2008