Press Release
I'll refrain from cross posting to the invasive and sampling gear areas of the forum, but this should probably be pinned up top.
Ban on felt soled waders
Started by
Guest_ashtonmj_*
, Jan 26 2011 10:21 AM
2 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_FishheadDave_*
Guest_FishheadDave_*
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Posted 26 January 2011 - 09:56 PM
Sweet deal - I think ths is long overdue, and will be far more effective than the wader cleaning stations.
Does this apply to all MD waters? For example, would a waterfowl hunter (or NANFAn, to stick with the forum's purpose) in a tidal salt marsh also be subject to this regulation? Obviously there are other organisms that could be moved around on felt, but it seems like didymo would be less of a concern.
Does this apply to all MD waters? For example, would a waterfowl hunter (or NANFAn, to stick with the forum's purpose) in a tidal salt marsh also be subject to this regulation? Obviously there are other organisms that could be moved around on felt, but it seems like didymo would be less of a concern.
#3
Guest_ashtonmj_*
Guest_ashtonmj_*
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Posted 25 March 2011 - 07:43 AM
Annapolis, Md. (March 17, 2011) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is banning felt soles in Maryland waters beginning March 22, 2011 to protect and preserve native wildlife and habitats.
“Felt is porous and can remain damp for weeks, keeping harmful microscopic organisms alive and making it virtually impossible to disinfect,” said Jonathan McKnight, head of DNR’s invasive species team. “After reviewing the science, and spending a year on outreach, public meetings and citizen response, we concluded that the only responsible action was to ban this material to halt the spread of harmful invasive organisms. The ‘do nothing’ response just would not cut it when the health and beauty of our rivers is at stake.”
The prime culprit in this call to action is didymo, an invasive alga known to anglers as rock snot, which thrives in cold flowing waters such as trout streams. Once didymo takes hold, it can bloom into infestations of enormous numbers resulting in a yellow-brown mass that may dominate sections of a river. Over time, dramatic changes in stream biology are probable, and the thick mats of algae make fishing virtually impossible.
New rubber soled materials offering excellent traction are readily available from various manufacturers at most outdoor retailers. DNR field biologists have had great success using the new rubber-soled boots.
DNR biologists found didymo in Gunpowder Falls in 2008 and responded with educational efforts, adding wader wash stations at popular access points on the river. In 2011, a rock snot bloom turned up in the Savage River. Didymo is not a human health risk, but the dense mats of algae may negatively impact bottom dwellers such as crayfish, mayflies and stoneflies.
Anglers have the most vital role to play in protecting the rivers they treasure by knowing that felt is not the only method for transporting harmful species. DNR strongly encourages all anglers and stream lovers to remove all debris and water from their boats, clothes and gear before leaving a stream. All anglers should take advantage of the wader wash stations to clean their boots and gear in the saltwater solution provided by DNR before heading to another body of water.
In enforcing this new regulation, Natural Resources Police (NRP) understand that, in spite of extensive outreach and educational efforts, some anglers will be unaware of the new felt sole ban. Therefore, NRP officers intend initially to issue a warning and an information card to anyone wearing felt-soled boots or waders.
For additional information on didymo, the felt ban and how to resole your boots/waders with the new rubber compounds, please visit http://www.dnr.maryl...t_sole_faq.pdf.
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Dave, not sure if that would extend into tidal waters or not. Everything I have seen says "Maryland waters", not just non-tidal or freshwater, so I'm assuming the answer is yes it means all waters.
“Felt is porous and can remain damp for weeks, keeping harmful microscopic organisms alive and making it virtually impossible to disinfect,” said Jonathan McKnight, head of DNR’s invasive species team. “After reviewing the science, and spending a year on outreach, public meetings and citizen response, we concluded that the only responsible action was to ban this material to halt the spread of harmful invasive organisms. The ‘do nothing’ response just would not cut it when the health and beauty of our rivers is at stake.”
The prime culprit in this call to action is didymo, an invasive alga known to anglers as rock snot, which thrives in cold flowing waters such as trout streams. Once didymo takes hold, it can bloom into infestations of enormous numbers resulting in a yellow-brown mass that may dominate sections of a river. Over time, dramatic changes in stream biology are probable, and the thick mats of algae make fishing virtually impossible.
New rubber soled materials offering excellent traction are readily available from various manufacturers at most outdoor retailers. DNR field biologists have had great success using the new rubber-soled boots.
DNR biologists found didymo in Gunpowder Falls in 2008 and responded with educational efforts, adding wader wash stations at popular access points on the river. In 2011, a rock snot bloom turned up in the Savage River. Didymo is not a human health risk, but the dense mats of algae may negatively impact bottom dwellers such as crayfish, mayflies and stoneflies.
Anglers have the most vital role to play in protecting the rivers they treasure by knowing that felt is not the only method for transporting harmful species. DNR strongly encourages all anglers and stream lovers to remove all debris and water from their boats, clothes and gear before leaving a stream. All anglers should take advantage of the wader wash stations to clean their boots and gear in the saltwater solution provided by DNR before heading to another body of water.
In enforcing this new regulation, Natural Resources Police (NRP) understand that, in spite of extensive outreach and educational efforts, some anglers will be unaware of the new felt sole ban. Therefore, NRP officers intend initially to issue a warning and an information card to anyone wearing felt-soled boots or waders.
For additional information on didymo, the felt ban and how to resole your boots/waders with the new rubber compounds, please visit http://www.dnr.maryl...t_sole_faq.pdf.
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Dave, not sure if that would extend into tidal waters or not. Everything I have seen says "Maryland waters", not just non-tidal or freshwater, so I'm assuming the answer is yes it means all waters.
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