Scott Godwin was of the first scientists in the world to identify that biofouling, and marine biosecurity were a threat to the well-being of our coastlines and battled for more than 20 years to bring it to the attention of decision makers in Hawaii.

In anticipation of a busy summer in Auckland’s boatyards, we talked to six operators around the region about their capacity and availability, their facilities, and their advice for boat owners ahead of the peak period.​

Each boat movement both in and out of a marina presents a marine biosecurity risk. But with positive support from boat owners, and an end-to-end marine biosecurity program, that risk is now significantly reduced at Nelson Marina in New Zealand’s South Island.

Managing biofouling is a global industry that is continuously endeavouring to find better, more sustainable solutions. In previous newsletters we have reported on work underway by the antifoul coating industry to develop safer and more effective products, innovations from the Marine Biosecurity Toolbox research program here in New Zealand, and other lines of fresh thinking. ​

Over summer, NIWA marine scientists surveyed high-risk locations within the Waitematā Harbour for exotic pests on behalf of Biosecurity New Zealand.

Marine biosecurity specialists Hamish Lass (Bay of Plenty Regional Council) and Kaeden Leonard (Northland Regional Council) visited Picton recently to attend the New Zealand Marina Operators Association annual conference where they outlined plans to streamline biosecurity management for customers of marinas and boatyard to around 120 marina and boatyard reps.

New all-weather maintenance facilities are making it easier for Auckland boat owners to conduct maintenance in all weather.

Managing biofouling is a global industry that is continuously endeavouring to find better, more sustainable solutions. In previous newsletters we have reported on work underway by the antifoul coating industry to develop safer and more effective products, innovations from the Marine Biosecurity Toolbox research program here in New Zealand, and other lines of fresh thinking. ​

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.

Despite vessel owners trying their best Mediterranean fan worm are still hitching a ride out of the north and turning up in the south.

Sometimes it’s easy for those of us who work in marine biosecurity to forget that for most of our fellow Kiwis, spotting an invasive marine pest isn’t so simple. Most of us know a fantail when we see it… a fanworm, not so much.

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.