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Aquatic and Fisheries Equipment Cleaning Procedures and Practices for Biosecurity

It is very important that anglers clean their waders, hippers, wading shoes, and nets after each fishing trip. This aquatic biosecurity policy is primarily in response to the range expansion of Didymosphenia geminate (didymo) but pertains to other aquatic exotic species as well. Aquatic Nuisance Species have been found in many streams throughout North America. When leaving a stream/ river or before entering another stream/ river please follow one of the following disinfection options. For those attending our On-The-Stream Fly Fishing Schools or Guided Fishing Trips please take the time to disinfect your equipment/ wading gear. Should you not have the resources available to disinfect your gear, please inform your guide prior to departure to the stream.

To date there are three streams in Virginia infected with Didymo; they are the Pound River, Smith River and Jackson River. Numerous streams in West Virginia and Maryland are affected as well.

Follow this link to listen to Harry's Podcast on Aquatic Nuisance Species

Disinfection Options – February 2010 (adapted from Biosecurity New      Zealand/National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd. )

Treatment

% Solution

Formula

Duration

Gear to treat

Dish detergent (Dawn or Palmolive)

5%

1 cup per gallon of water

Greater than a minute
30+ minutes for felt

All gear

 

Salt

5%

2 cups per 2.5 gallon water OR
1 pound per 5 gallons water

Greater than a minute

30+ minutes for felt

Non-metallic items

 

Drying

 

 

Greater than 48 hours

All gear

Freezing

 

 

Until frozen solid

Porous gear

Disinfection Methods and Gear Precautions

5% Detergent Solution– For a one or more minute soak. 1 cup Dawn or Palmolive dish detergent per gallon of water will be used. Felt soled waders and PIBS foam will have to soak at least 30 minutes or more. Soaked gear will be rinsed with tap water after soaking. Note: Organic/green type detergents have been found ineffective at killing didymo so please use the approved products.

5% Salt Solution– For a one or more minute soak. Felt soled waders will have to soak at least 30 minutes or more. 2 cups of salt per 2.5 gallons water OR 1 pound salt for 5 gallons of water will be used. Gear will be rinsed with tap water after soaking. Rock, salt, water softener salt, or regular salt from Southern States will work.