Public asked to report banned water weeks

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Northland Regional Council are asking residents to report any fresh sightings of two banned and highly destructive weeds – water hyacinth and salvinia.

Both weeds are present in Northland and are known for growing rapidly to form large dense floating mats on ponds, drains, lakes and still waters in swamps.

“Water hyacinth and salvinia are among the world’s worst weeds,” says MPI Response Manager Emmanuel Yamoah.

Both plants grow very quickly. Water hyacinth is able to double its population size in as little as 12 days, while salvinia only needs about a week.

“These weeds have the potential to cause huge damage to our waterways, native aquatic plants and fish. They can clog waterways, making almost all water activities impossible and increasing the danger of drowning to humans and livestock. The weeds also have adverse impacts on hydro-electricity generation and irrigation.”

Dr Yamoah says MPI and the Northland Regional Council have an eradication programme in place for water hyacinth and salvinia.

“We need to know where these weeds are so we can wipe them out, so the assistance of the general public is crucial to the success of the eradication programme.”

He says many home and farm ponds in Northland have been cleared of the noxious weeds, thanks to calls from concerned owners and residents.

If you see any of these weeds or suspect they may be present, report it on 0800 80 99 66  FREE.  MPI contractors will remove the weeds free of charge if they find them.

WATER HYACINTH: Forms a dense mat across still or slow-moving ponds and waterways.