VinsonMassif Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 I wanted clarification on straight Val. I emailed MAF about it and they pointed me to the National Pest Plant Accord Then I rang my regional council (Auckland). They said that you may not sell, propagate, or distribute Straight Val. They strongly recommend any outdoors is destroyed. Well I knew this already. I specifically asked about keeping it in the aquarium. The ARC representative on the phone told me that if it was retained in my aquarium, and not propagated or distributed at any time then there shouldn't be an issue. The rep also told me that this is a "surveillance pest plant" and they could not prosecute anyone over this plant. I found this particularly interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Maybe MAF can't, but I wouldn't be suprised if there were local Council bylaws that have some teeth. Even so, if you act responsibly and keep it in your tank they'll be no harm done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danilada Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Isn't there two types only one is illegal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Yeah I am all for Responsible Husbandry. Yes the spiral leaved one is a different species and legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Have you considered just using a hair straightening product? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Have you considered just using a hair straightening product? :lol: Well actually I did. I found that the GHD was the most effective. In particular it cut down on split ends when used in conjunction with the official spray on conditioner. However I stopped using it because I couldn't stomach the boiled broccoli smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 The pest species are Vallisneria gigantea and Vallisneria spiralis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Gigantea is massive and spiralis is straight leafed but with a spiralling flower stem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Sam Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 My understanding is as follows: There are at least three species of val in NZ, and the twisted or corkscrew val is the only one allowed. Spiralis refers to the shape of another part of the plant, not the shape of the leaves - so spiralis is on the pest plant list. The reason (as far as I have been told) that all straight Val's are on the list is that there is no way to distinguish the difference when plants are small (ie tank size). So the huge destructive one looks the same as the smaller one. Oh well, luckily we have lots of other options. I have made the decision to remove any of my pest plants so that I can't accidentally propogate or distribute them!! DOC won't prosecute but regional councils can. I don't know how many there are but 15 have signed up the pest plant accord. Going after someone for having a few plants in their tanks is not going to be cost-effective for any regional council - the paper trail etc is huge in any breach of compliance where a fine would be considered. Fines can be given, and from memory they are big!! My info comes in part from friends in Doc and Regional council, and part from info from this forum and other internet sites - I have some val (corkscrew) in my tanks!! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 My understanding is as follows: Spiralis refers to the shape of another part of the plant, not the shape of the leaves - so spiralis is on the pest plant list. It refers to the flowering part of the plant. The reason (as far as I have been told) that all straight Val's are on the list is that there is no way to distinguish the difference when plants are small (ie tank size). The straight val is easy to pick because it is flat with leaves extending in the realm of 2m in the aquarium. Whereas the spiral val is spiraled and narrower. DOC won't prosecute but regional councils can. I refered to Auckland Regional Council who stated that they cannot. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 From what I'm aware of, the only one that is blanket banned (i.e. is on the National Plant Pest Accord - linked in the first post of this thread) is V. gigantea. However other species are getting controlled/banned through district councils (so people may be correct saying such and such species is or isn't banned - in THEIR REGION). For example Environment Waikato has ALL vallisneria species as potential plant pests. For those questioning my saying all val species (remember - just in EW jurisdiction) the link is here: http://www.ew.govt.nz/policyandplans/rp ... ive5.4.htm Scroll down to find Freshwater eelgrass, also remember that sp. is used for a single species and spp. is species, plural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Here is the National Pest Plant Accord... http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pe ... manual.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks Caryl - I stand corrected - V. spiralis is there too - though it does appear to depend on which list you look at. The initial list I looked at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-di ... t-list.htm only has V. gigantea listed. But then Caryl's link has both - no wonder I'm confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMAZONIAN Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Hi All. All vallisneria species are on the radar as noxious weeds. The only exception I believe is V. spiralis var. tortifolia. If you act sensibly then you can keep it and propagate it in your own tanks. You may not sell, trade, swap or diseminate itto any other person or body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Thanks Caryl - I stand corrected - V. spiralis is there too - though it does appear to depend on which list you look at. The initial list I looked at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-di ... t-list.htm only has V. gigantea listed. But then Caryl's link has both - no wonder I'm confused. It's different to my printed book as well. They're obviously updating it online on a regular basis. I'll add this link to our homepage as it's a very good reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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