Tony Stevens
Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2004
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Well since my last post concerning rock snot it would appear that the brown and nasty has really hit the fan. New zealand is as usual going to have to deal with or live with the problem of this algae as it seems to have nothing indiginous that will control it. Blooms of up to 2 km long have been found covering the bottom of Southland rivers. This would mean a drastic reduction of habitat to a depth of 5 or 6 ft. In some quarters estimates of up to 60% fish losses are being predicted.
As these rivers are solely trout preserves and have to now been some of NZ's finest this loss is not to be taken lightly.
Survey work is currently being done and to date 6 river systems are affected on the South Island. Angling restrictions are now in force.
Ironically it would appear that there is no danger to coarse fish or waters and these fish are by most folk regarded as noxious pests. If rock snot wins these fish may at last get the recognition they deserve.
As these rivers are solely trout preserves and have to now been some of NZ's finest this loss is not to be taken lightly.
Survey work is currently being done and to date 6 river systems are affected on the South Island. Angling restrictions are now in force.
Ironically it would appear that there is no danger to coarse fish or waters and these fish are by most folk regarded as noxious pests. If rock snot wins these fish may at last get the recognition they deserve.