It's great to see you again

A marine biosecurity biofouling know-how event hosted at Gulf Harbour Marina was deemed a successful collaboration between the marina team, Auckland Council marine biosecurity, and industry experts. The aim of this event was to provide boat users the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with industry experts, and specific questions about their unique situational hull maintenance. ​

“It is difficult for boat owners to know where to start so they appreciated the opportunity to have industry experts on the day to talk to about boat maintenance,” says Senior Marine Biosecurity Advisor Samantha Happy. “They also enjoyed checking out the live display of marine pests on the hauled-out vessel, pests in the display tanks, and chatting with the Gulf Harbour Marina staff.”

Around 50 boat owners attended and a fouled boat provided a good talking point about what Level of Fouling is and how it is assessed, the specific marine pests that were on the hull and their impacts, and many other discussions around the maintenance and planning how to avoid her reaching that point again in the future.
“Workshops like these provide an opportunity to engage face-to-face which is difficult in the online world we often find ourselves in this day and age,” says Samantha. “There are various in-person approaches that can be tailored to needs from this form of workshop or more of a presentation approach or an information session. If you are keen to host a similar event please reach out to the Auckland Council marine biosecurity team on marinebiosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.”

​The Clean below? Good to Go Marine Biosecurity team, also enjoyed chatting with hundreds of boat owners at the Hutchwilco Boat Show in Auckland in May about marine pests and biosecurity. Thanks to everyone that chatted with us and took an interest in marine biosecurity.