Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

The discovery of the invasive alga Didymosphenia geminata in the Buller River by NIWA and Fish & Game attracted major media and public attention. Within days, further incursions were reported in four other rivers. This generated a major response by Biosecurity New Zealand, who commissioned NIWA to run a nationwide survey of ‘most likely’ didymo locations, based on a NIWA habitat suitability model and knowledge of public access points to rivers.

The survey was organised and begun within three days, and completed in three weeks. Multiple teams of up to 10 field staff (from NIWA, regional councils, Fish & Game, and DoC) surveyed 475 sites throughout the country, setting up field laboratories to carry out immediate sample analysis. Only one new incursion of didymo was found, in Southland’s Von River, which flows into Lake Wakatipu.

Cabinet has approved funding for didymo research, including detection and control methods. NIWA is continuing to provide key science advice to Biosecurity New Zealand for didymo.

For more information: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/didymo