29 Jul 2008

Didymo boots ban being considered

4:28 pm on 29 July 2008

A ban is being considering on the use of felt soled wading boots for freshwater fishing, from 1 October.

The boots provide a good grip on slippery rocks. But Fish & Game New Zealand says they can also spread the invasive alga didymo, which causes mats of fibrous material in streams, rivers and lakes.

If the ban proceeds, it will apply to all freshwater fisheries except Lake Taupo, which the Department of Conservation administers.

The department is to recommend that the Government extend the ban to include the lake.