Students out and about to fight the spread of aquatic pests
Students out and about to fight the spread of aquatic
pests
22 December
2017
Growing up in Rotorua, Te Wakaunua Te Kurapa
is used to spending summers on the region’s lakes.
But
this time will be slightly different as he and fellow Bay of
Plenty Regional Council summer student, Jemma Hippolite,
spend the holiday period out and about educating those
enjoying the region’s lakes on how to prevent the spread
of all aquatic pests including catfish, hornwort and
didymo.
The pair will talk to thousands of people over
the summer months – from retail outlets and backpacker
hostel staff, though to those swimming, boating and
fishing.
Te Kurapa and Hippolite have been out for the
past month talking to people and says the awareness is
varied.
“We’re employed to gauge awareness around
aquatic pests.”
As part of that they are carrying out a
survey asking people what pests they know exist in Rotorua
lakes, what can be done to prevent them and what they need
to do if they find pests on their equipment.
Hippolite
says it all centres around two key messages – Stop the
Spread and Check Clean Dry.
“We want to make sure
people are aware that even a small fragment of weed
transferred from one lake to another can be hazardous, which
is why it’s important to check all equipment before
launching to ensure we stop the spread of unwanted
pests.”
Hippolite says the level of awareness has been
mixed, but the response has been overwhelmingly
positive.
“Even those who are aware of the messages are
really happy to see us out there doing the work we are
doing.”
Te Kurapa says coming from an environmental
background – his father worked for Department of
Conservation – protecting the environment has always been
a part of him.
He is studying a Bachelor of Environmental
Planning at Waikato University, and says the summer role is
a great extension of his studies.
“For me growing up
locally, I’m really familiar with the Rotorua lakes but I
wasn’t sure about the technical side so this was a great
opportunity to grow that knowledge.”
Hippolite also has
a science background, having finished a degree in biology
from the University of Canterbury.
Originally from
Nelson, Hippolite grew up spending time in the outdoors –
hunting, fishing and diving.
She says a key attraction of
the summer job was being able to put her passion and
knowledge to work in an environment which could benefit from
that.
For more information on how to clean your boat when
going between lakes and waterways visit www.rotorualakes.co.nz/check-clean-dryor
www.boprc.govt.nz/aquaticpests
ENDS