Rosie Bay weed removal pleases Rotorua MP
Date: 07 April 2008
Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation
Conservation Minister and MP for Rotorua Steve Chadwick is thrilled that Rosie Bay on Lake Waikaremoana has been re-opened.
"The removal of a major water weed from Lake Waikaremoana has been an enormous task and is a significant achievement," said Steve Chadwick, "Being "clean and green" means we all need to be vigilant about the potential to spread noxious weeds."
Programme manager Jamie Quirk
"It has taken over eight years of hard work for Department of Conservation staff to remove the weed Lagarosiphon major from the bay and it would take the carelessness of just one visitor to re-introduce this pest to the lake."
The weed was discovered in Rosie Bay during routine weed surveillance in 1999. Lagarosiphon can spread very quickly, clogging up waterways, disrupting boating, swimming and fishing. At Rosie Bay there was also concern at the potential for a heavy infestation to affect the Waikaremoana Power Scheme. It also displaces native plants and reduces oxygen in the water.
The bay was closed to the public and weeding by DOC and Conservation Corps staff began. Early efforts resulted in tonnes of material being removed. The heaviest infestations in shallow water were covered with matting to exclude light. In 2003 when matting was lifted, the lake bottom was clear of vegetation and in the following weeks native aquatic plants started growing.
The noxious weed has not been seen in the lake since January 2006.
"This is believed to be the first time that Lagarosiphon has been removed from a substantial area of water in New Zealand. This work highlights the need for everyone to take particular care to heed the 'check, clean, dry' message when taking vehicles, boats or equipment from one waterway to another."
"Thanks to the hard work of DOC, Rosie Bay is now in pristine condition and can be enjoyed by all. The government's recent $72.1 million commitment means that more of our precious Rotorua Lakes will soon be in much better health as well."