Didymo Long Term Management

Programme Survey

September 2009

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Overview• Survey Overview

– Invitations to take part in the survey were sent to regional group members and Steering Group members

– 103 people were asked to participate– 52 people participated (36 completed, 16 partially completed)

• Summary of results• Analysis/Conclusion• How this informs the Didymo LTM Programme review

Full survey results are available on request from Corinna or Ranuka

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Communications from SG, CCDAG & LTM Coordinator• Most (>81%) respondents felt that adequate information had

been provided on membership and roles of the Steering Group, CCDAG, and MAFBNZ LTM Coordination.

• Over 97% thought that the communications from the Steering Group and the LTM Coordinator were “extremely” or “fairly” relevant and useful.

• 83% for CCDAG. 4 respondents commented they had not heard anything at all from CCDAG

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Knowledge Sharing Tools• Didymo Shared Workspace:

– 58% never use the shared workspace

• Didymo monthly teleconference update meetings– Half of respondents find teleconference useful

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Knowledge Sharing Tools• Didymo.net:

– Nearly ¼ had never used didymo.net– Key comments for improvement were around improving the

search function – a list of site content could help– 83% of respondents thought that it would be “very” or “fairly”

useful to expand didymo.net to include other freshwater pest information. Remainder of respondents do not use didymo.net.

• Most however appeared to be aware of key documents and have at least some idea of where to find them

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MAFBNZ Website • 92% found MAFBNZ website “extremely” or “fairly” relevant and

useful• Approx half had used MAFBNZ website to refer to science

reports • 100% were aware of CCD instructions on the website• Most had some idea about where to find info on border

standards/bringing gear into NZ • Most thought it would be useful to provide info about Sections 52

& 53 of Biosecurity Act

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Expansion of programme to other freshwater pests

• Key comments were:– Concerns re overload of information – Need to ensure that no “feeling of no hope” with didymo– Improved inter regional communications – suggestion of

meetings/workshops for practitioners/managers– Information on control and monitoring methods– Links to info from NIWA/Regional Councils

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Knowledge Sharing Conclusions

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Sampling • Didymo Samples Database:

– 41% never use the didymo samples database– Some suggestions for improvement – May only be used by staff carrying out sampling work

• Most do not use outputs from the sampling programme to inform other regional activities (e.g. advocacy)

• Only 22% of respondents had been trained in microscopic analysis for didymo. 38% of those said they applied their training in their regional didymo sampling programme.

• Half send samples to laboratories for analysis

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In the last 12 months, on average how much time have partners spent overall on the didymo LTM programme?

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Where do partners spend the majority of their time with regard to the Didymo LTM programme?

“Other” includes:• Liaising with

partners• Management

planning• Operational

coordination

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General • General comments included:

– Challenge in maintaining an interest and concern– Advocates are very effective– LTM programme has been a successful pioneering initiative– The LTM programme sets a benchmark for other programmes

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Analysis/Conclusions• There were a lot of comments around the fact that

respondents/ the public have lost interest or didymo is not a significant part of work programme any longer

• Although use of knowledge sharing tools like didymo.net and the shared workspace was not high, 81% “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that the existing programme effectively supports information sharing between partners

• 72% strongly agreed or agreed that the existing programme effectively supports delivery of key didymo-freshwater pest