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IMPOSSIBLE TO TOTALLY CONTAIN DIDYMO -- BIOSECURITY NZ(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Christchurch, Feb 1 NZPA - Biosecurity New Zealand conceded today it may not be possible to prevent the spread of the highly invasive algae didymo throughout the country's waterways. Speaking after a meeting with Canterbury's regional council, Environment Canterbury (ECan) this afternoon, Biosecurity NZ's surveillance and incursion response manager David Hayes said it was likely didymo, or rocksnot, would be found in other South Island catchments. Mr Hayes emphasised that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry agency's prime focus as lead agency in attempting to contain the spread of didymo was educating the public to take personal responsibility for curbing the algae's spread. ``We're trying to get a very clear message to the public as to how they can reduce the rate of spread, but we've always acknowledged that it may not be possible to totally prevent the spread of didymo in New Zealand,'' he said. ``Whilst disappointing, it's not totally unexpected that we might get additional finds of didymo in the South Island.'' Mr Hayes repeated that it was not known how the algae arrived in New Zealand or how long it has been here. Biosecurity NZ was taking two approaches to combating the risk didymo posed to waterways and catchments. One was increasing public awareness of the problem and urging people to take personal responsibility when using waterways and moving between catchments. ``In terms of managing the long-term issues of didymo and reducing the impacts, we also have a science strategy which is looking at ways that potentially could help reduce the impacts of didymo within the river systems,'' Mr Hayes said. That work was continuing. ``We don't know what solutions we may find out of that research, but it's under way at the moment.'' ECan's meeting today was called in the wake of news last week that several areas in the lower reaches of the Waitaki River in South Canterbury had become infested with didymo. Also attending today's meeting were representatives from state power generator Meridian Energy, which has expressed serious concern about the possible effects of the algae on its hydroelectric canals and generating turbines on the Waitaki River, Fish and Game and the Department of Conservation (DOC). DOC yesterday announced the indefinite closure of the world-renowned Te Waikoropupu Springs near Takaka in Golden Bay to swimmers and divers as a measure to prevent didymo establishing there. Asked today if more such closures of aquatic areas were likely, Mr Hayes told NZPA Biosecurity NZ's national approach to the problem ``recognised and encouraged'' agencies in areas of high-value sites that they may ``choose to take some action to protect those sites''. Mr Hayes said the agency still believed encouraging the public to heed its ``check, clean and dry'' policy to equipment that had been in waterways was the most effective way to control didymo. ``We're confident that the communication that's been provided has been effective and has been as widespread and as thorough as we can possibly make it,'' he said. ``Some individuals have been exposed to this information multiple times, so we think we're doing a good job getting the information out to the public.'' Fish and Game central South Island spokesman Jay Graybill said didymo was a wider issue affecting more than just recreational water users. He said his organisation was issuing a ``clear message'' to anglers that it was not the time to be complacent about the algae's spread. It was essential to take all possible measures to prevent it reaching the North Island. ``If we can keep it out of the North Island for as long as possible, that's a worthwhile goal,'' Mr Graybill said. NZPA CHC cs dj kk |