Keeping waterways pest-free

CHECK, CLEAN, DRY: Gisborne District Council's Check, Clean and Dry advocate Teegan Maxwell with information signs placed at local freshwater sites. Picture supplied

Everyone who visits rivers, lakes and streams this summer should check, clean and dry their gear when they move between waterways, the Gisborne District Council and Biosecurity New Zealand says.

“Checking, cleaning and drying your gear between waterways stops the spread of invasive freshwater pests, such as didymo, hornwort, pest fish and oxygen weed,” Gisborne's Check Clean Dry advocate Teegan Maxwell said.

Ms Maxwell said freshwater pests posed a serious threat to all rivers, streams and lakes in the Gisborne and Wairoa area.

“If pests get into our waterways they are just about impossible to get rid of. They cost a fortune to manage and can ruin beautiful water ways and habitat for native species.

“Some freshwater pests, like didymo, are microscopic and can be spread in a single drop of water. Even if you can't see the danger you could be spreading it,” she said.

Ms Maxwell recommends people follow the simple Check-Clean-Dry process before leaving any waterway:

■ Check all gear that touched water and leave behind any weed or debris.

■ Clean gear with a simple solution of 5 percent dishwashing liquid (ones tablespoon per 250mls of water). The solution can be tipped into anchor wells, bilge areas, kayak hulls and sprayed on to wet surfaces and fishing gear. Absorbent materials, such as lifejackets, wetsuits, booties and tramping boots can be soaked for several minutes

■ Dry gear inside and out for at least 24 hours before visiting another waterway.

“Following these simple procedures will help stop freshwater pests from spreading throughout New Zealand's waterways. If we all do our bit, we'll protect our waterways for future generations,” Ms Maxwell said.

For more information about didymo and other freshwater pests visit