Protect our lakes and rivers

Do your bit to protect the lakes and rivers that you love

All it takes is one tiny fragment of hornwort or a single catfish egg. If aquatic pests hitch a ride on your gear they can spread to previously unaffected waterways – choking our lakes and rivers, make them murky, and out-competing native wildlife. Sadly some freshwater pests are already established in some of the Bay of Plenty’s lakes, rivers and streams and so the key is to stop the spread. If you’re moving between waterways you can help to reduce the spread of freshwater pests by using the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ (CCD) method:

  • Check all equipment and remove any weed fragments.
  • Clean all equipment that has come in contact with the water using a decontamination solution.
  • Drain all water by removing bungs or sponging out any lying water
  • Dry equipment thoroughly.

Do it between every waterway, every time. Click here to read more.