Ministry for Primary Industries is working with the Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council to contain and eradicate an infestation of the aggressive aquatic weed Salvinia molesta in the Wairakei Stream in Papamoa.
Salvinia is known worldwide for its fast spread and significant impacts on lakes and waterways.
'It forms dense mats on the water surface and has the potential to destroy habitats for our native plants and animals, including native aquatic bird life,” says MPI.
'It attracts breeding mosquitoes, removes oxygen from the water, affects recreational activities and creates a drowning risk for people and animals.
'Salvinia has been eradicated from other sites in New Zealand, and we are confident we can do the same at Papamoa.
'It is important we talk to local iwi and the community about eradication options as we realise some people may have concerns about this weed infestation, and the process of eradication.”
People who believe they have seen salvinia can contact:
- the Bay of Plenty Regional Council on 0800 STOP PESTS (0800 78 67 73)
- MPI's pest hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
2 comments
Sprays
Posted on 21-04-2018 21:37 | By overit
Dont use sprays please.
For the wildlife ........ shags
Posted on 22-04-2018 11:09 | By SonnyJim
The waterways are a unique feature for Papamoa. Just wondering if there is such a group as "Friends of the Waterways" or maybe Council 'are it' ? One amenity missing along the waterway system is a series of roosts made from tree branches that shags can rest upon so they can dry their feathers - they are unable to fly if soaking wet. The roosts can simply be two posts out in the water with a log or heavy branch tied across them. A few more shags entering the waterway would help control stray carp and goldfish within the ecosystem.
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