National News> Media Releases

9 January 2007

Takaka Didymo Meeting

Representatives from Fish and Game New Zealand, Tasman District Council, Department of Conservation and Biosecurity New Zealand met on Monday 8th of January to consider the response by these statutory bodies to the recently identified incursion of didymo in the upper Takaka River, Golden Bay. Spokesman Neil Deans, Manager of Fish and Game, said, "We are naturally disappointed that didymo has been found in the upper Takaka. Golden Bay's rivers, Waikoropupu Springs and the National Parks are all highly regarded freshwater resources and community concern has been high."

Today's meeting allowed discussion of possible options for management of this incursion, which is still at a relatively early stage of infestation. Mr Deans said, "As the middle part of the river is presently dry, the extent of didymo may be quite limited. The Department of Conservation is coordinating a delimiting survey of didymo in the area which is likely to commence this week. All parties will step up their contact with people likely to encounter didymo in the region's rivers to make sure that the 'check, clean, dry' message is being understood and implemented. In the meantime, we urge that water users avoid contact with the waters of the upper Takaka, which has been signposted as having didymo present. This would enable all options for potential management to be considered."

Once the delimiting survey has been undertaken, the parties will reconvene soon to consider any appropriate response.