Trout fishing season has just kicked off and for anglers in Waikato, and there are warnings to watch out for the super-spreading invasive golden clam.
The clam first turned up at Lake Karapiro in Waikato two years ago. From southeast Asia, the clams are able to produce 400 juveniles a day and up to 70,000 juveniles a year.
They can damage hydro schemes - Mercury says it continues to find the clams in its schemes along the Waikato river, but they have not yet caused damage to operations.
Earth Sciences New Zealand – formerly NIWA -- is carrying out dive surveys to check populations as well as testing the impact the clams are having on aquatic plants.
MPI's director of pest management John Walsh, is urging boaties and anglers to follow the rules to prevent the spread of the clam.
