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Five years after Mediterranean fanworm was last spotted at Tutukaka, the bay has officially been declared ‘fanworm free’. Eradication of a marine pest species, such as Mediterranean fanworm, can be difficult and depends on a number of factors, like how well established it has become before being detected and whether it can be easily and effectively removed without causing further spread, says Kathy Walls of Biosecurity New Zealand.  Just like health and safety is now embraced as good business practice, marine biosecurity is now part of day to day life for marine farmers around the country who have eyes on the water to detect pests, improved practices in place to ensure gear and equipment is clean, and an ever-growing body of knowledge about pest species.  Auckland Council and Gulf Harbour Marina are hosting a practical demonstration for boat owners at the Gulf Harbour boatyard from 11am-2pm on Saturday 7 May. View a heavily fouled boat, and chat with technical experts in person about fouling, antifouling, foul-release coatings, boat cleaning, and marine pests. Plus, a selection of great spot prizes just for boat owners from Coppercoat Pacific and Propspeed!  New accreditation program incorporates marine biosecurity education  A yacht competing in the Coastal Classic yacht race  Biosecurity New Zealand reports that NIWA’s team of divers recently completed some inspection dives in Aotea Great Barrier waters to check how effective a salt treatment has been and to gauge the current state of the incursion.
The team checked the plots in Whangaparapara and Tryphena where they had applied a thick layer of coarse salt back in December. Overseas this has proved the most effective treatment option available. In both areas, no Caulerpa was seen inside the treated areas whereas extensive Caulerpa cover was visible outside the treatment plots. This seems to demonstrate that the salt treatment works, however we are still waiting on a final report on just how effective it’s been. You can read about surveillance findings, and more detail about the treatment success, using this link. In January 2020 a visiting photographer was snorkelling over the estuary mussel bed in the Whangapoua estuary, Aotea Great Barrier when he spotted what he thought was an Asian Paddle Crab (Charybdis japonica) – an aggressive marine pest that reproduces rapidly and predates on our native crabs and shellfish. This incident, which happened on the last remaining estuarine bed of mussels in the Hauraki Gulf, sparked a research project involving senior students from a local school. Destinations on both the west and east coasts of the central North Island are set to gain new and upgraded facilities for vessel maintenance, which will be helpful for commercial vessels in particular. This includes a new boat harbour announced for Whakatāne. Named Te Rāhui Herenga Waka, it will include a 75-100 tonne travelift and is primarily for commercial boats. Currently, larger vessels travel to Tauranga for a haul-out. Whanganui is also set to receive a 360 tonne mobile boat hoist as part of Te Pūwaha – Whanganui’s Port Revitalisation. Further boat maintenance infrastructure including a larger travel lift is also expected as part of the Nelson Marina Masterplan  Photo (c) Whakatāne District Council The war against marine pests will rapidly get easier if we can prevent them from growing on artificial structures like marina pontoons and wharf piles. The Marine Biosecurity Toolbox – a New Zealand led research programme - has some promising leads. We talk with Oliver Floerl, co-lead of the Marine Biosecurity Toolbox research programme with the Cawthron Institute about extensive research underway in New Zealand to make this happen.
The biofouling industry is innovating all the time, here in New Zealand and around the world. Here are three examples of New Zealand companies coming up with solutions to combat the challenge we face.   Gulf Harbour is the gateway to Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf islands. It is the first significant marina and haulout facility you come across when entering Auckland from most directions and the first you come across when you leave Auckland. It is busy, with boats constantly entering and leaving all year around. It is also blessed thanks to an investment in infrastructure with clear, clean water and bountiful wildlife including seals, stingrays and even visiting dolphins.
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