A Virtual Reality Experience will be delivered at Auckland’s two upcoming boat shows which hopes to open your eyes to the magic of our coastlines and the imminent danger posed by pests like exotic caulerpa and Mediterranean fanworm.

A new fouling-release hull coating system is offering boat owners another tool to help reduce the spread of marine pests. 

We love it when we get told about marine pest sightings and so we were stoked to get a heads up from a member of the public who’d spotted something weird on the beaches around Whitianga after the storms in January.

New research is showing how autonomous underwater technology and artificial intelligence could dramatically improve how we detect marine biofouling, and stop invasive species before they spread.

A review by the Cawthron Institute provides updated guidance on use of the Level of Fouling (LOF) scale

The 2025 Annual Forum in Waikato convened marine biosecurity professionals, scientists, council representatives, industry stakeholders, and the public to discuss current challenges, innovations, and collaborative efforts in protecting marine environments from marine pests.

Reaching the next generation is key and New Zealand schools have a growing range of marine biosecurity education resources that help students understand marine pests, ecosystem health and their role as caretakers of the moana. 

Recently a boat owner asked the Island Cruising Association for advice about visiting marinas that follow the ‘6 or 1’ rule. The Island Cruising Association passed the query on to us at Clean Below? Good to Go. Here’s what they said.

New signs will be installed at Auckland Council tidal grids soon. What can and what we can’t do on tidal grid faciliites, and what is the environmentally safe way to clean in the water?

New and improved operations are always welcome news for boat owners

Try this summary of new marine protections in the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana, the exotic caulerpa rules, and pest-free islands.

If there was a silver lining in the fight against the exotic caulerpa seaweed, it’s the considerable local innovation that is making tools available to fight the war against marine pests.

Why don’t we want these pest species on pest free islands? We’ll tell you why!

Greater Wellington Regional Council and Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership (TOS) have completed the second regional marine pest survey on moored vessels in Wellington marinas.

Great news! Two of our top boating spots have been declared free of the marine pest Mediterranean fanworm

Boating on lakes and harbours this summer? You need to know these five things about the invasive freshwater clam.

New Controlled Area Notices; new treatment tool reports published; Further research planned on impacts and dynamics of exotic caulerpa

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has developed a new dashboard to help track some broad details of who it has talked to, and what they know - or don’t know - about marine pests.

Surveillance continues to turn up occasional Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) findings, and councils continue to respond as quickly as possible to get on top of incursions before they can get established and spread further.

Nelson boat owners and those traveling around the country will soon have two new options  for their haulout and maintenance - no matter how big, small or challenging they are to lift.