Sole ban blamed for leg break

ALL CLEAR: Didymo has not yet been found in North Island rivers.PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay anglers are angry that they are not permitted to wear a safer boot, despite a trout fisherman slipping and badly breaking his leg.

Hastings Anglers Club member Brian Fennessey was frustrated that his fellow anglers were not allowed to wear felt-sole shoes because of didymosphenia geminata (didymo) spreading fears.

Felt-soles were banned in New Zealand in October 2008, with the restriction signed off by the Minister of Conservation as requested by Fish and Game New Zealand.

The soles were eradicated in an effort to stop the spread of didymo from South Island waterways to the North Island after it was believed the organism could survive longer on the felt surface.

The Anglers Notice issued under the Conservation Act 1987 states: "No person shall fish for sports fish by using felt-soled waders or footwear incorporating of or having attached a sole of felted, matted or woven fibrous material when sports fishing."

However, Mr Fennessey said the unwanted organism was a Southern problem and as far as he was aware there was no didymo in the North Island to spread.

"It is okay to tramp and kayak with felt-soled shoes but not fish," he said.

"More and more people are fishing, there is a resurgence of trout fishing and the reality is that when you step into the water with everything flowing downstream and making the rocks slimy, you take your life into your own hands."

On January 1, Gary Griffiths, wearing regular boots, slipped on a rock and badly broke his tibia and a bone in his ankle while fishing in the Tukituki River.

He had to walk about one hour on his broken leg to safety, which was "bloody painful", he said.

The trout fisherman of about five years said the felt-soled shoes could have prevented the slip and were missed by most anglers.

"The guys think they are great ... it is like having sandpaper on your soles that grip to the rocks."

Mr Fennessey said more angling accidents would happen as fishermen wore studded boots or sneakers as replacements.

The Ministry for Primary Industries stipulates that it is an offence to knowingly spread an unwanted organism, with penalties of up to five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.

There are no current treatment options to remove or control didymo in waterways, with the Government employing a public awareness campaign to encourage freshwater users to check, clean and dry equipment when moving between rivers.