Anglers' felt soles may get the boot from Fish & Game

Freshwater anglers could soon be banned from wearing felt-soled boots because of the high risk of spreading didymo and other aquatic organisms.

Fish & Game New Zealand has discussed the ban with Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick who has agreed with it "in principle".

Falconers Field and Stream Sports owner Stuart Falconers said that because there are so many other ways of spreading didymo banning felt-soled boots would make little difference.

He had just one pair of the boots in stock because they weren't very big sellers.

"They're more popular overseas."

He believed tougher border checks on overseas anglers would make more difference.

The ban, expected to become effective from October 1, will apply to felt-soled waders or footwear with a sole of felted, matted or woven fibrous material when used for sports fishing.

Fish & Game said such boots were a "high risk" carrier of microscopic aquatic organisms like didymo and banning them would help prevent the spread of the disease.

"While there are procedures for decontaminating felt-soled waders, it is acknowledged that these are not practical in many situations."

Fish & Game said it had received 43 formal submissions on the proposal -- 20 supported the ban, 17 opposed it and six supported it with conditions.

Those opposing the ban cited the safety provided by felt-soled boots that provide a good grip on slippery surfaces, but Fish & Game said there were alternative ways of maintaining grip.

"The use of felt-soled waders was strongly discouraged during the 2007/2008 season and the ban should come as no surprise to most anglers."

If approved, the ban will be included in the proposed 2008/2009 Anglers Notice for Fish and Game Regions which applies to freshwater sports fishing anglers in all New Zealand waterways, except the Taupo Fishery area.

The Department of Conservation, which runs the Lake Taupo fishery, said if the ban was introduced for the rest of the country it would recommend Ms Chadwick approve applying it in Taupo. n Herald Staff

- © Fairfax NZ News