Casting off, going cruising...
and protecting our coastlines too
In just a few weeks, marina berths and moorings will be sitting empty as boats cast off and set sail on their summer cruising adventures. We have worked hard to make sure that boat owners understand the importance of checking and cleaning their boats.
Please be vigilant to help prevent the spread of marine pests, and to protect our coastlines. Here is some news and information about marine biosecurity efforts in the upper North Island.
Here's to fair winds and clean hulls. See you out there!
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Can water shortages stop you cleaning your boat?
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With water supply a continuing challenge for many regions this summer, many haulouts now utilise drought-friendly water supplies – whether bore water, recycled water, or salt water wash downs. Our new haulout directory identifies locations where your boat can be cleaned even when water restrictions are in place. Water restrictions in Auckland also enable hose use for biosecurity reasons.
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Sandspit Marina reflects on long fanworm fight
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Late in 2019 we interviewed Grant Brown from Sandspit Marina about his quest to keep the marina, built in 2016, free of Mediterranean Fanworm.
“I was proud of the fact we were fanworm free,” he says. “We were totally focused on monitoring and eradicating fanworm, but time and conditions have beaten us, and it is now living in the seabed here at Sandspit Marina.”
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Regions resume summer surveys
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Divers from Northland to Gisborne are checking for marine pests this summer in order to prevent the spread of marine pests. An underwater survey of the waters around Great Barrier Island (pictured below) has also just been completed.
They are checking for unwanted pests including Mediterranean fanworm, Australian droplet tunicate (Eudistoma elongatum), Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia), clubbed tunicate (Styela clava), and sea squirt (Clavelina oblonga).
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In Northland 2,000 vessels will be surveyed and any vessel entering Northland waters or moving from one harbour to another must have no more than ‘light fouling’, defined as a slime layer and/or barnacles and a few patches of macrofouling. If a pest species is detected, owners will be asked to haul the vessels out and clean or treat them in a timeframe appropriate to the level of risk.
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Marine pest 101: Pyura Sea Squirt
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Exploring rock pools is a rite of passage that Kiwi children love. But Pyura Sea Squirt is an aggressive competitor that has the potential, in the right conditions, to change our precious intertidal communities in a significant way - it could even suffocate our beloved green-lipped mussel beds. Currently only found in the upper North Island, we don’t want it spreading further.
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Commercial barges told to check and clean too
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Dylan Lease, manager at Tutukaka Marina in Northland, is proud that his marina is pristine. A former ‘Best Environmental Performer’ winner at the New Zealand Marina Awards, Tutukaka Marina is known for going the extra mile when it comes to minimising the impact of its operations.
Therefore Dylan is diligent about ensuring that all vessels entering the marina are free of marine pests – even the working barges travelling to are required to be cleaned and checked before they enter the marina, and to meet Northland Regional Council’s rules too.
“We are so proud that we have kept Mediterranean fanworm out of Tutukaka Marina for this long. It has been a battle and commercial boats must follow the same clean hull requirements as recreational boats do,” says Dylan.
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Update on inter-regional approach
Locally, regionally and nationally, the quest to prevent the spread of marine pests continues. Consultation in 2019 showed widespread support for more action to control marine pests and demand for a simple and consistent approach that is easier to understand and implement across regions. Northland Regional Council, Auckland Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Waikato Regional Council, with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries and Department of Conservation, are progressing work to create an inter-regional approach that will reduce the spread of marine pests on vessels.
We now expect that formal consultation will take place in the second half of 2021, and we will keep you posted as it gets closer. Our colleagues at MPI are also working with industry to develop best practice guidance for hull cleaning and antifouling.
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MarineMate App now live
Made for New Zealand boaties, MarineMate is a smartphone app that allows you to access information on tide times, boat ramp locations, VHF channels, and local boating rules for the whole country, all at the palm of your hand.
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Spread the word
Attn: marina operators, boat clubs and boating businesses. We have a poster and materials that will look great on your noticeboard, pier gates, or your lunch room.
Download your copy to print here and find out other ways you can ‘spread the word’ at our special page for 'Clean Below? Good to Go' supporters.
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Online resources
Bionet.nz - an online resource for biosecurity information
Pest Control Hub - Northland Regional Council's online resource for marine and other pests
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THE TOP OF THE NORTH MARINE BIOSECURITY PARTNERSHIP
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