In Tairawhiti we treasure our waterways and want to protect them from freshwater pests, now and for the next generation. A reminder to take care while out enjoying our rivers and lakes, we could be unknowingly spreading plant and fish pests between waterways.
Protect our waterways
All it takes is one tiny fragment of aquatic weed, one droplet of water or a single fish egg hitching a ride on your gear to spread pests to previously unaffected waterways – choking our lakes and rivers, making them murky and out-competing native wildlife.
So please check, clean and dry your gear to stop the spread of pests.
Aquatic pests
Once a freshwater pest such as catfish, hornwort or lindavia gets in a waterway it's difficult and expensive to remove, if it's possible to at all. These pests can also prevent us from accessing and enjoying our waterways.
The best defence is prevention!
Which pests? Find out more about freshwater pests in Pest Control Hub
Check, clean, dry between waterways
✓ Before leaving a waterway remove any visible matter, including any clams you see along with plant material or mud. Make sure to drain all river or lake water from your equipment
Check - for what's visible
✓ Before leaving a waterway check boats, trailers, fishing gear and other equipment for any plant material and remove it. This includes any clams you may see.
✓ Make sure to drain all river or lake water from your equipment.
Remember a thumbnail size plant fragment may be all that's needed. Leave it at the site or in a rubbish bin.
Clean - for what's not visible
✓ Washdown your gear, vehicle, watercraft and trailer that's been in contact with river or lake water with tap-water onto grass
✓ Treat residual water that always occurs when on-board ballast bladders or tanks have been pumped
✓ For absorbent surfaces and items such as clothing, wetsuit, waders or booties that have been in contact with river or lake water use an appropriate treatment.
Use
1. Soak in hot tap water 55°c for at least 5 minutes
2. Soak in household bleach in a 10% (1 to 10) ratio with water for 1 hour
3. Freeze until solid
Here's a tip: 10% dishwashing liquid or nappy cleaner or 2% bleach or salt water (sea strength or 1 cup of table salt per 1 litre of water). Leave the item wet for 10 minutes.
Dry - to be sure
✓ Allow gear to dry to touch inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days) before using again
✓ For boats and other watercraft dry areas inside where water has pooled, for example with an old towel and then leave the craft to dry for at least 2 days and the hull of a watercraft will dry when towed.
Dry thoroughly - inside and out and then wait for 48 hours at least before entering another waterway.