<
https://theconversation.com/toxic-blooms-and-invasive-clams-are-forcing-a-rethink-on-the-waikato-river-279560>
"The Waikato is New Zealand’s longest river, central to the identity and
practices of Waikato River iwi and a source of drinking water for nearly half
of the country’s population.
It is also becoming a case study in what happens when very different
environmental pressures hit the same system faster than authorities can
respond.
A recent RNZ investigation documented worsening toxic algal blooms in hydro
lakes in the upper Waikato. Communities around Lake Ohakuri describe water so
green it resembles the “Incredible Hulk”, dogs becoming violently ill and mats
of toxic slime covering the surface.
These conditions are a long way from Te Ture Whaimana o te Awa o Waikato, the
legislated vision for a river safe for swimming and gathering food.
The reporting captured genuine community frustration and institutional
fragmentation. But to turn concern into effective action, we need to understand
why blooms keep forming where they do.
Otherwise, interventions risk missing the mark. The Waikato cannot afford
misdirected effort."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
