Learning the ropes – marine pests

NIWA and Biosecurity NZ, part of the Ministry for Primary Industries, led a Hawke’s Bay group exploring marine pests and the harm they cause on 3 July.

The group included locals from Napier Port, Napier Sailing Club, Legasea, the HB Fishing Club and dive contractors, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council and Gisborne District Council.

The purpose of the workshop was to educate people to recognise marine pests and know what to do if they’re found.

Alice McNatty, Senior Biosecurity Advisor at the Regional Council, says there was some hands-on action to identify marine pests and learn how to send them off to the lab to be tested.

“It was great fun to get our hands dirty and learn how to identify and collect any pests we find – especially the squirting ones!”

Some of the pests the group looked at were the Mediterranean Fanworm and the Clubbed Tunicate, which aren’t known to be in Hawke’s Bay waters.

This workshop follows the introduction of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Pest Management Plan which came into effect on 1 February 2019 with a focus on protecting our native species and habitats.

“The inclusion of a marine pest management programme is a major change, particularly as any vessels coming into our waters need to have clean hulls to prevent marine pests spreading,” says Ms McNatty.

Prevent the spread of marine pests

If you see any pests, report them immediately by calling Biosecurity NZ’s Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 809 966 or the Regional Council’s Marine Biodiversity Advisor on 06 833 8083 or 0800 108 838.

• Ensure your vessel’s hull is clean and free of fouling before you travel to a new area
• Clean and dry any marine equipment before using in a new area, such as ropes, lines and pots
• Inspect your boat thoroughly for signs of marine life

5 July 2019

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