After reading the article “ More water woes – destroyed habitats” in The Coromandel Informer of Tuesday, 19 March with the statement that “as recently as Friday, 1 March DOC published a spray programme for the following three months to deal with sea paspalum and spartina in the Firth of Thames and Tairua Harbour using the herbicide Halocyfop. The label on the Haloxyfop container clearly states “not to be used in aquatic environments”.
DOC will put up notices of spraying activities to warn the public. However, not all people see every notice.” Alarm bells are ringing – loudly!!
Where did DOC publish this spray programme? We live at Ngarimu Bay on the Thames Coast and swim regularly at this Bay. We read the local newspapers. We have seen neither printed notification nor notices on the beach. Yesterday we walked at Te Puru – no sign of notices there either.
Why is DOC using this toxic spray against the makers instructions? Why is DOC using it at all? It is far from best practice for the public to become aware of these plans only IF we read particular articles in a local newspaper.
We do our best to care for our environment; DOC has a duty of care to the public. We are angry, disappointed and very concerned and need a clear explanation.
