Maine Fisheries and Wildlife officials await new invasion
By JOEL ELLIOTT
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Thursday, July 26, 2007

AUGUSTA -- Creeping along river bottoms, killing off fish and insects and driving away boaters and swimmers, an invasive species of algae has encompassed half the globe.

And an infestation of it is heading toward Maine, according to state officials.

A recent sighting along the Vermont-New Hampshire border has officials at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife urging boaters to scour their hulls between outings in an attempt to stave off the onslaught.

Green, brown and aggressive, it has the texture of wet wool and seems to mimic strands of damp toilet paper.

The name of the menace?

Rock Snot.

Rock Snot, or "Didymosphenia geminata," as it is formally known, is found in Scotland and Poland, but in 2004 bubbled to the surface in New Zealand.

Within 18 months, Rock Snot had run into 12 rivers on New Zealand's South Island, according to a release from Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Rock Snot has since dribbled into Québec, British Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.

"The ease with which (Rock Snot) can be spread is a real concern for anyone who enjoys Maine's waters," the department's Director of Fisheries John Boland said. "All of Maine's rivers and streams are at risk."

The invasive algae uses stalks to attach to underwater rocks and plants, collecting into masses of 10 to 12 inches deep and trailing 2 to 3 feet downstream along river bottoms.

Unlike variable-leaf milfoil, another much-publicized invasive plant species in Maine, Rock Snot prefers cool, clear streams with gravelly rock bottoms, according to department spokesman, Mark Latti. Variable-leaf milfoil flourishes in murky water and fertile lake bottoms. Variable-leaf milfoil can proliferate from a single 1-inch strand segment, whereas a Rock Snot infestation can explode like a sneeze from a single cell.

Boaters should make sure that they clean and dry the undersides of their watercraft to avoid spreading Rock Snot, since no one knows how to eradicate it, Latti said.

"It's really nasty-looking stuff, and it just coats the bottom," he said. "It's just gooey strands. ... Nobody's going to want to go swimming there; nobody's going to want to canoe over it."

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com

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Leon Richard of Farmington, ME
Jul 29, 2007 4:44 PM
non-consumptive, non predatory recreationist.

What? What in the far north is that? Isn't that the two-legged, tree hugging, lily livered, gun grabbin', liberal, socialistic, communistic, land grabbing, open minded individual that thinks nothing they do is subject to examination and they should be entitled to tell others what to do? That the species we're talking about?

Let me tell you. You're as consumptive as the next person. You consume huge masses of cash, when we have to file lawsuits to get access to what is rightfully ours to use as well as yours. When you decide you're not sharing, that's when you consume.

There is no reason why people can't sit down and discuss things in an agreeable manner. There is no reason why there has to be trails and motorized vehicles in every corner of the state of Maine, and no reason why there can't be an interconnected system of trails that offer a variety of riding opportunities to people in an environmentally responsible manner.

There is no level of taxation that can abate an invasive species once it is introduced. No amount of money can undo it. It takes more than one cell of any organism to infest a new environment.

Maybe we can bring in a mammal that eats this crap, or another fish? We certainly need to look at our options, if there are any.

We're all not going to rise to the sublime level of "non-consumptive, no predatory recreationist". (oh brother...) Some of us like to eat fish and meat. Come to think of it, most fish like to eat fish too.... report abuse
Bob Skowronski of Sharon, VT
Jul 28, 2007 10:32 AM
I found this interesting.

"at the expense of every Maine non-consumptive, non predatory recreationist."

What!!!!!!!

Most fly fishermen today refer to themselves as "non-Comsumptive" yet clearly the spread of didymo in VT is the handy work of fly fishermen and paddlers in canoes and kayaks. It is a hard pill for some to take but the facts is that the so called "non-consumptive" recreationist has had a big hand in the spread of didymo in Vermont and around the globe. That doesn't mean that once it is in the system motorized boats will not continue the spread. Isn't it time for "non-consumptive" types to do a reality check instead of buying into the marketing BS that tell us that we are Sooooo Much bettttterrr than the rest of humanity if you use or do.......... what ever? There is a problem and all of us need to take responsibility. I say this as a life time fly fisherman who owns a canoes and no motorized boats.

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Maine Lake Watch of Gardiner, ME
Jul 27, 2007 5:34 PM
Rock Snot is spread by microscopic cells on clothing, gear, boats, boots. Unless one goes through State Security Level decontamination the spread will continue. Unfortunately Rock Snot is only one invasive heading our way...at least 23 more are just waiting to catch a "ride" to infect Maine waters. Rock Snot does not stay in little carry in steams...it infects rivers that see heavy motorized boat traffic. Rivers and Streams tend to flow into lakes and ponds spreading these little gems of cells on and on and on......to the outlet and into the next stream or river. The policies that have brought us these invasives are not going to change. IF&W is adamant that they will continue to expand our "fishing" tourism at the expense of every Maine citizen, and at the expense of every Maine non-consumptive, non predatory recreationist. When Maine Taxpaying Citizens finally understand that IF&W policies will price them out of their homes they will be willing to listen, but it will be too late. We will have lost both the character of our waters and their usefullness for anyone. Taxes to abate the damages caused will drown us all. How very very sad.
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Bob Skowronski of Sharon, VT
Jul 27, 2007 2:14 PM
I am a life long fly fisherman. I live along the White River in VT. There are no motorized boats on the White River. The Didymo is at home in free flowing, well oxygenated, streams. Think trout stream and now you have it! The White River gets two primary types of use, paddlers in canoes and kayaks and fly fishermen. Rock snot is not being spread by bass anglers in bass boats or shore line bait anglers sitting with the kids watching rods on forked sticks either.
Fly fishermen are likely the primary vectors spreading this around the globe. We walk on it crush it into the soles of our boots today and fish another stream tomorrow. No one appears to know how long didymo needs to be present in a stream before colonies are large enough to be identified.
One may ask how it got to New England.
I believe it is the Orvis Mc Dorvis types that fly to fish over priced destination rivers loaded with didymo like those found in New Zeland, or Doucho el Fungulero that have brought it to the White River and likely the finest rivers in Maine yet undiscovered. I personally know a number of White & Connecticut River anglers that fish fabled Maine waters touted as the "Yellowstone of the East". My guess is there will be a lot of huff and puff in a Rubbermaid tub among fly anglers and then back to business as usual all worried about a local guy and his kid bait fishing, ice fishing, or owning a tin boat instead of an elegant drift boat to guide more Orvis Mc Dorvis types.
How ironic that fly fishing sports and their guides are likely responsible for the introduction of didymo to my home water and perhaps Maine.
We can thank all the money changers of the Environmental Recreational Industry for this gift that will keep on giving.

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