Duck shooting season starts on Saturday, so it’s timely to remember the importance of cleaning equipment – even the dog – between waterways to avoid the spread of unwanted freshwater pests.

Unwanted freshwater pests, such as Lindavia intermedia, hornwort, alligator weed and yellow flag iris, pose a serious threat to our rivers, streams and lakes. Once in a waterway they can disperse rapidly and destroy the environmental, recreational and aesthetic values of our waterways.

“We are asking hunters moving between waterways to Check, Clean, Dry any equipment, particularly your boots and even your dogs,” says Waikato Regional Council biosecurity pest plants team leader Darion Embling.

“Dogs are right in the thick of everything, swimming and running through the water. Everything and anything can stick to their fur or the jackets some wear. And it’s not just bits of plants or seeds, some pest organisms, like Lindavia intermedia, are microscopic and can be spread by a single drop of water.”

Mr Embling says duck shooters should check their gear and leave any weed or debris they find at the waterway. All items should then be cleaned for at least one minute with a 5 per cent solution of biodegradable dishwashing liquid (one tablespoon per 250ml of water).

“I’d say a pet shampoo is advisable for dogs before they head off to another waterway.”

Water absorbent materials such as boots require longer soaking times to allow thorough saturation, or freezing overnight.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to try to preserve the environmental integrity of our waterways for future generations,” says Mr Embling. “If these pest organisms take hold in a pond or lake, and our rivers and streams, they can destroy ecosystems and that could mean no duck shooting.”

Visit www.mpi.govt.nz/check-clean-dry to find more about how to Check, Clean, Dry when moving from one waterway to another anywhere in New Zealand.

Find out more about pest plant species at www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/biosecurity.

© Scoop Media