Stricter controls on out-of-town boaties on Lake Ōkāreka has prompted concern from Fish & Game New Zealand over what it might mean for fishing hotspot Lake Tarawera.

A community-led clampdown has been announced for Lake Ōkāreka to prevent the invasive gold clam from entering the lake.

A meeting was called by Te Arawa Lakes Trust yesterday, prompting different community groups, iwi trusts and councils to band together to bring in tighter controls over boats entering the lake.

Warranted officers and community volunteers will now man Lake Ōkāreka’s boat ramp, checking those entering have followed the “Clean, Check, Dry” procedures.

Locals will get priority use, and visiting boats will be put under a stricter biosecurity screening.

The partnership includes Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, Ngāti Tarawhai Iwi Trust, Ōkāreka Communities Association, Tarawera Ratepayers Association, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Rotorua Lakes Council.

Boaties need to “Check, Clean, Dry" to stop the spread of the invasive freshwater gold clam.

Gold clams pose a serious and irreversible threat to freshwater ecosystems.

They are most commonly spread by recreational boats moving between waterways.

Once established, they cannot be eradicated, meaning prevention is the only effective option.

Fish & Game New Zealand Eastern Region chief executive Arash Alaeinia. Photo / File

But Fish & Game New Zealand Eastern Region chief executive Arash Alaeinia said they were concerned at the limited consultation with Fish & Game prior to the announcement of temporary measures at Lake Ōkāreka and potentially Lake Tarawera.

“While Lake Ōkāreka is not a major fishing destination at this time of year, we know anglers will be disappointed at the prospect of restrictions at Lake Tarawera, which is a popular lake for both locals and visitors. Over the past two seasons, Lake Tarawera has produced exceptional fishing.”

He said Fish & Game took biosecurity and the health of freshwater fisheries extremely seriously.

“We believe decisions that affect access for all lake users, including anglers, must be based on sound science and implemented in a way that is proportionate and effective.”

Alaeinia said the response to the gold clams incursion sat with Biosecurity New Zealand, which already had a range of measures in place to manage its spread, including a Controlled Area Notice for both the lakes in the Te Arawa region and at the source for the Waikato.

“We support the measures and precautions put in place by Biosecurity New Zealand.”

Community stakeholders at a meeting over the gold clam lake threat. Photo / Supplied

Te Arawa Lakes Trust chairman Wallace Haumaha said the unified community of Rotorua and iwi stand firm in its proactive decision to safeguard the lakes.

“We understand that new access controls ensuring boats are cleaned, checked, and dried represent a brief adjustment for some. However, this short-term pain is an essential investment for the long-term gain of our vibrant, healthy lake ecosystems.”

Haumaha said they called on all lake users to join them in the collective effort.

“We are acting with foresight and responsibility, upholding our deep commitment to kaitiakitanga [guardianship]. To ignore this threat now would be to gamble with the ecological and economic future of our entire region.”

Haumaha said everyone’s patience and co-operation would ensure their children and grandchildren could enjoy the pristine beauty and recreational opportunities of the lakes for generations to come.

“This is not just a community decision, it’s a generational commitment.“

In 2023 Lake Ōkataina was closed and security was hired after the gold clam threat emerged, and earlier this year, a security gate was installed.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.