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TimesArgus.com - We Are Vermont

Invasive algae found in more Vermont rivers

8:45 a.m.



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Published: January 13, 2009

ARLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — An invasive aquatic algae has been found in three more spots in southern Vermont, including another site on the Batten Kill, a famed trout-fishing stream.

Officials say tests this summer showed Didymosphenia geminata — also known as didymo, or rock snot — in the Batten Kill in Manchester and Arlington, the West Branch River in Manchester and the Green River in Sandgate.

The algae tends to thrive in cold, clean waters, threatening aquatic insect and fish populations. It has contaminated rivers in Arkansas and Tennessee but until 2007 hadn't been seen in the Northeast, when it turned up in the Connecticut and White rivers.

Rock snot is spread by boats, gear and fishing equipment, adhering to them and then moving as the equipment is used in other bodies of water.



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READER COMMENTS


Although epidemic in New Zealand, they have a comprehensive approach to fighting the algae that includes fishermen needing to clean their equipment - waders, boots, nets - when they move from one river system to another and carry certification of having done so or risk having their license pulled. They have also outlawed felt-soled wading boots (which can incubate the algae for weeks) My son spent four months fishing in the southern island last year and I visited for a couple of weeks and the fishing we encountered was challenging but other-worldly. Vermont needs to act and act quickly to protect one of our most valuable resources.
-- Posted by walt amses on Tue, Jan 13, 2009, 11:28 am EST

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Rock snot is an epidemic in New Zealand. The Dept. of Fish and Game should ask New Zealand for a list of Americans who bought fishing licenses in recent years. Those individuals likely infected Vermont streams. How interesting it would be if members of the Fish and Game Dept. imported the algae on their equipment!
-- Posted by Christopher Coughlin on Tue, Jan 13, 2009, 10:24 am EST

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