| The
Lake Taupo fishery is administered by the Department of Conservation.
The Department has advised that if a ban were introduced for the
rest of the country it would recommend that the Minister approve
a ban applying in Taupo.
The ban applies to the use of felt-soled waders
or footwear incorporating or having attached a sole of felted, matted
or woven fibrous material when sports fishing.
Felt-soled boots are considered a high risk vector
or carrier of microscopic aquatic organisms like didymo. Preventing
the spread of didymo is an important aspect of ban, but it is increasingly
understood that felt soles are an effective vector for other microscopic
pest organisms. While there are procedures for decontaminating felt
soled waders, it is acknowledged that these are not practical in
many situations. The proposed ban supports three of the objectives
of the didymo long term management plan; to slow the spread of didymo
and other freshwater pests throughout New Zealand, to protect valued
sites and at-risk species, and to maintain the North Island free
of didymo for as long as possible.
Earlier this year Fish & Game New Zealand
consulted widely with agencies and stakeholders on the proposed
ban. Formal submissions from MAF Biosecurity, the Ministry of Tourism
and Environment Southland all supported the proposed ban. Of the
43 submissions made through the Fish & Game website, 20 supported
the ban, 17 opposed it and six supported the ban with various conditions.
Some opposing the ban cited the safety provided
by felt soled boots. Felt, or fibrous, soles provide a good grip
on slippery boulders, and, for this reason, have become popular
with anglers. However, other boots and sole types are available
that offer alternative ways of maintaining grip on slippery surfaces.
The use of felt soled waders was strongly discouraged
during the 07/08 season, and the ban should come as no surprise
to most anglers.
Fish & Game New Zealand believes that banning
the use of felt soles will immediately remove a high risk cause
of spreading unwanted organisms like didymo among New Zealand’s
waterways. Anglers must still “Check, Clean and Dry”
all equipment that has been in contact with the water wet before
moving to a new waterway.
See also some questions
and answers from Fish & Game about the ban. |
