Help stop the spread of freshwater pests
Whether you’re out fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing or boating on our freshwater lakes and rivers this summer, the threat of freshwater pests spreading and invading is very real.
Freshwater pests can ruin valuable ecosystems by inhibiting the growth of native water plants and reducing likely spawning areas for many types of fish.
Some of the freshwater pest species present in Aotearoa exist within our region like egeria and lagarosiphon, but many of our lakes and rivers remain pest-free. To help keep it this way, it's important that equipment and vessels are properly cleaned and decontaminated before entering any waterway.
If you've been in a lake, river, stream or wetland and plan to move to another within 48 hours, you must clean all your gear that has been wet using the 'Check, Clean, Dry' method.
How to prevent freshwater weed invasions
Check
Check boats, trailers and anything else that was in the water, including your dog’s fur and paws if your dog is in the water with you, for any plant material and remove it.
Even if the plant appears dry and dead, it may still survive and start a new infestation. Leave debris at the site or, if you find any later, treat and dispose of it in the rubbish. Do not wash it down drains.
Clean
Wash all equipment such as nets, machinery, footwear and clothing thoroughly with an appropriate decontamination solution (10% detergent for 10 minutes or 2% bleach for at least one minute in water) before putting it in any new waterway.
Prevent freshwater weed invasions
Dry
If you can't clean your gear or animals, restrict your use to a single waterway OR dry completely to the touch inside and out, and leave to dry for at least another 48 hours.
Keep an eye out for our Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors this summer
Our Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors will be out and about this summer at a number of recreational hotspots across the region to help keep freshwater pests front of mind for water users and to chat all things Check, Clean, Dry.
They will also be providing free, portable cleaning equipment and collateral if you are working and playing in and around popular freshwater sites.
"We are looking forward to getting out and visiting freshwater hotspots across Canterbury this summer, creating awareness and educating the public about how to prevent the spread of invasive freshwater pests," says Louise McDermott, freshwater ambassador – Biosecurity.
Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors Anna and Louise
"Check, Clean, Dry, isn’t just to protect against historic freshwater pests like didymo, there are other harmful aquatic pests which you may not be able to see. We all have a responsibility to protect our freshwater. Remember, even if you can’t see it, if it’s wet, it’s a threat,” says Anna Meikle, freshwater ambassador – Biosecurity.
Find out more
- Contact us on 0800 324 636 or email biosecurity@ecan.govt.nz to arrange equipment or advocates, or for further biosecurity-related advice.
- Check, Clean, Dry pocket guide (PDF file, 328KB)
- Information for tourism operators and businesses.