Este viernes se reunieron investigadores expertos en Turismo Sustentable y Biólogos del Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP), con autoridades regionales y operadores de Pesca con Mosca para analizar la situación.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Se Identifica Presencia de Alga Invasora Didymo en Rio Futaleufu. (USGS findings confirmed)
Monday, May 17, 2010
US Geological Survey Confirms Didymo in Chile, Region X (Chiloe District)
Technical Announcement:
[USGS FORT
The presence of the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata, or didymo, has been confirmed in remote Chilean rivers near Esquel, Argentina, by a U.S. Geological Survey scientist and diatom expert.
Didymo is an aquatic invasive species in several regions of the world. It invaded New Zealand in 2004 and has since spread to 32 watersheds there. The species is problematic because of its propensity to erupt into massive “nuisance blooms” that cover stream and river bottoms. These dense masses substantially alter the aquatic habitat for other life forms, such as invertebrates and fish, and consequently the health of the aquatic ecosystem.
Although the presence of didymo was reported in Lago Sarmiento, Chile, in 1964, this is the first known occurrence of a nuisance bloom in South America. The newly discovered bloom was reported on Rio Espolon and Rio Futaleufú, covering a total of more than 56 river kilometers.
Didymo is known to survive in damp conditions for more than 30 days and can be transported on the gear of aquatic recreationists. The pristine, low-nutrient rivers that recreationists seek are the same ones that are most vulnerable to large blooms of didymo, if the species is introduced.
Didymosphenia geminata cells produce large amounts of mucilaginous stalks. These stalks are white and look like wet toilet paper when clinging to fishing line. The stalks, cells, and associated sediment can resemble raw sewage lining riverbeds or streambeds.
Didymo presents a paradox to scientists because it is able to create large amounts of biomass in low-nutrient rivers. Recent work indicates that the amount of stalk produced is related to the phosphorus concentration of the water, implying that the stalk acts to attract and take up phosphorus for the cells. In some regions of the world, the blooms are persistent for a number of years after the initial invasion.
Sarah A. Spaulding
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
More here: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2491
Didymo Distribution Map - May 2010
Slides of the Rio Espolon Samples Identified as Didymosphenia geminata by USGS
Image of the silica cell wall of the diatom 'Didymosphenia geminata' from Rio Espolon, Futaleufu, Region X, Chile. The sample was collected in April 2010 from an extensive bloom on the river. The image has been processed to show the silica cell wall, removing the organic cell contents and the stalk material. (Image by Sarah A. Spaulding, US Geological Survey, FORT). Enlarged: here.
Didymosphenia on the Rio Espolon, Chile - Video
Didymosphenia on the Rio Espolon, Chile - Photo Slideshow
Chile Government was warned about the Didymo threat in 2007
"Rivers in the southern hemisphere are particularly at risk to new introduction and invasion. Appropriate agency personnel in Australia, Argentina, Chile and Peru should be notified and made aware of the potential ecological damage and urgency of implementing decontamination procedures." (page 11)
http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia/White%20Paper%20Jan%202007.pdf
FIGURE: Map of the world showing regions where suitable stream habitats for D. geminata are located. (Map by Kris McNyset, US Environmental Protection Agency).
The government of Australia took the 2007 warning seriously and prevents Didymo infected items from entering the country:
What are the risk items?
Didymo can survive in damp moist conditions and is often inadvertently carried in sporting equipment and fabrics such as:
fishing equipment: rods, reels, bags, rope, nets, knee guards, gators, felt soled shoes, waders, recreational and watersport equipment: wetsuits, neoprene socks, waterskiing and wakeboarding equipment (including components) buoyancy vests, kayaks, canoes and other watercraft, paddles, spray decks, spray skirts, soft foam handles, hiking gear and swimwear.
What can you do before returning to Australia?
All travellers carrying such items need to thoroughly clean and completely dry all components, inside and out. It is also a good idea when you’re packing your bags to ensure all risk items can easily be accessed when required for inspection.
What to do when arriving in Australia?
It is important that you:
Declare all items on your Incoming Passenger Card
Present all items to an AQIS Officer for inspection.
What happens next?
The AQIS Officer will inspect all items to assess the level of risk each item presents. Once assessed, the AQIS Officer will advise you whether or not the item needs to be treated before it can enter Australia. If it requires treatment, it will be treated in the nearest AQIS approved treatment facility, subject to availability; which may result in delays in getting items back. If the risk item can not be treated it will need to either be destroyed or re-exported. All treatment, destruction or re-exportation costs are at the owner’s expense.
More here: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/didymo/didymo2
Australia border control video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xxWI2WGxyY
BioSecurity New Zealand Estimates Economic Impact of Didymosphenia Invasion
This assessment estimates potential present value impacts of didymo on
$167.233 million under the medium impact scenario; and
$285.132 million under the high impact scenario.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Chilean Lodges take innovative step in combatting spread of aquatic pests
The Patagonian BaseCamp Lodge and The Temple Camp have purchased safe wading boots for the use of all their guests from Korkers in the USA. No need to travel with bulky boots is a bonus!
It seems we are hit at every turn these days with alarming news about some new aquatic threat to our favorite streams and rivers. New Zealand mud snails, didymo, whirling disease…the onslaught seems relentless, and the potential for destruction dire. We are told repeatedly that the only practical method to control the spread of these invaders into our waters is prevention. Simply stated, if you must wear waders and wading shoes from potentially contaminated fisheries into non-affected waters, rather extreme cleaning techniques are mandatory. Especially dangerous are felt-soled wading boots, as the porous soles provide convenient nooks and crannies in which these offenders can hide, and even live in for extended periods of time. Those still-damp boots in your garage from a fishing trip last week may harbor live threats, ready and waiting to explode into a new and susceptible environment. One need look no further than some of the great New Zealand trout streams which have been devastated by didymo, to comprehend the damage possible in such a pristine and prized angler destination as Patagonia.
( Read More Here )