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It looks ghastly, feels okay, but the single cell algae, by the name of ‘Rock Snot’, is threatening to destroy the key fishing spots of the world. Didymosphenia geminate, (Didymo) is a fast blooming algae that thrives in cold nutrient-poor waters.
Didymo clings to the bed of streams, rivers, and lakes. It can cover a river bottom from bank to bank, destroying stone flies, worms and other organisms which trout and other sport fish feed off. Didymo seems to have evolved into a much more aggressive species over the past twenty years, where it is spreading into warmer nutrient filled waters and threatening the major fishing rivers of the world.
While not appearing to be harmful to people, its thick mats can clog water intakes. Resembling wet toilet paper, the long gooey, tan, gray and brown mass can become an unsightly sludge. It’s not easily broken apart, nor is it slimy to touch.
Didymo was found in the South Island of New Zealand, in 2004 in regions where it had never been found before. Scientists believe it has been piggybacked there on the soles of fishermen’s waders. The bloom has already spread to over 120 rivers in the South Island. Some streams turned into nothing more than sludge pits and fish populations have been severely reduced.
In an effort to halt the invasive algae from spreading into the North Island rivers, Fish and Game New Zealand have banned the use of felt-sole waders, with a punishment of up to five years imprisonment for any deliberate contamination of a stream.
Ecologist with the United States Geological Survey in Boulder, Colorado, Sarah A Spaulding, says “Among the traits of the microorganism it has an ability to survive outside water for a day or more, making it easy for anglers to transport it as they move from river to river.” She says there is not sufficient information known about Didymo to say whether or not its more aggressive behavior and recent geographic spread are caused by environmental changes, genetic mutations, or simply part of a natural cycle that has never been observed.
Manufacturers have been under pressure to produce rubber-sole waders, so as to counteract the effect of the felt-soled algae carrying waders.
Fishermen are being warned that they could be the carriers of what will eventually sound the death knoll to their sport if the warnings go unheeded.
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Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) providing high school education grants for children who are without hope. A chance to fulfill their dreams at whatever level they chose to.
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