Bundaberg Regional Council environment and natural resources spokesman Danny Rowleson said salvinia molesta is an extremely invasive aquatic weed that is taking over Baldwin Swamp in Queensland, Australia.
In addition to degrading water quality and destroying wildlife habitats, salvinia can reduce water flow to irrigation equipment, increasing pumping times and costs and prevent access by stock to drinking water.
Council land protection staff has been working on a weevil-breeding program to help control infestations throughout the region. The council also recently employed a weed harvester to mechanically remove a large portion of salvinia.