Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Newsletter
Kia ora, welcome to the latest newsletter. In this edition, you can read about: - Liam Falconer, the new Biosecurity Manager for Marlborough District Council
- Protecting New Zealand’s boating paradise
- Discovery of Mediterranean fanworm and the importance of regular surveillance
- Preparing your vessel for the summer
- Upcoming events
Kia ora to Liam Falconer, the new Biosecurity Manager for Marlborough District Council
Name: Liam Falconer
Organisation: Marlborough District Council
Job Title: Biosecurity Manager
What motivates you to be involved in biosecurity?
In the biosecurity industry, we are able to take actions that will protect or improve the environments and communities that we live in. There's also a great network of people that are awesome to work with. What has been your career path to your current position?
I started off undertaking field-based roles across a variety of biosecurity and biodiversity projects; from there, progressed through various roles and gained a broad range of experience in the management of invasive species. What are the main focuses of the work in Marlborough? Are there any marine pests that are a particular problem/concern for MDC?
We have a programme to prevent Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) from establishing in the area. This programme also aims to prevent establishment of other marine pest species that can be transported on vessels. We’re also monitoring the Caulerpa situation in the upper North Island at the moment, and it’s proving to be a very difficult pest to deal with. What’s the most fun part of the job?
Seeing strong results being delivered by the MDC Biosecurity team and our network of contractors is the most satisfying part of my role. It’s also pretty hard to beat a day in the field with the team getting stuck into the hard mahi – there’s nothing quite like pushing through gorse bushes on the steep coastal areas of the Marlborough Sounds to take out boneseed plants. When you’re not working, where can we find you and what do you like doing?
I’m often somewhere outdoors, mountain biking, hunting, volunteering with Fire and Emergency, occasionally freediving and I’m kept busy being a Dad to two young boys.
Protecting New Zealand’s boating paradise
The Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership is helping roll out a new nationwide campaign for the recreational boaties who travel along New Zealand’s coastline. The work is being led and funded by Biosecurity New Zealand, and has been developed with regional councils, regional partnerships (including the Top of the South) and others. This marine-focused campaign is loosely modelled on the existing Check Clean Dry freshwater campaign, which targets users of lakes and
rivers. The Protect Our Paradise campaign will connect recreational boaties with the reasons they love New Zealand’s coast and encourage them to protect it for the future. It addresses hull fouling of moored boats, and reminds boaties of the need to keep their gear and anchor clean and manage seawater that gets onto the boat. Regional councils and partnerships immediately saw the benefit of a campaign that reaches boaties before they come to visit their
waters. Research shows there are two groups of typical sea-faring boaties who can be nudged by such a campaign – those who fluctuate in their commitment to biosecurity behaviours, and those boaties who are oblivious of the threat posed by marine pests and unaware of the actions they can take to help biosecurity efforts. Biosecurity New Zealand piloted the campaign in northern regions during May and June, using a wide range of paid-media channels including video, radio, social
media and outdoor billboards. The Protect Our Paradise campaign will become active nationwide in Spring 2024, and is for use by anyone interested in marine biosecurity and is in contact with recreational boaties.
Discovery of Mediterranean fanworm underlines importance of regular surveillance
It’s been a busy survey season for the team at Tasman District Council with three incursions of Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii). Two of these incursions were picked up during the summer surveillance programme in Abel Tasman National Park, and both vessels were from ports outside of the Top of the South that have known infestations of Mediterranean fanworm. The vessels were directed to the marina to be hauled out and cleaned.
Mediterranean fanworm was also discovered on a vessel at Port Tarakohe. There has been an infestation of Mediterranean fanworm at Tarakohe in the past; and following a successful eradication plan, the site was due to be declared free of this pest this year. Unfortunately, a vessel had relocated recently and brought some unwelcome hitchhikers. This vessel was ‘wrapped’ (encapsulating the vessel hull with impermeable plastic) and treated to destroy all attached Mediterranean fanworm.
Surveillance programmes involve contract divers surveying vessels for marine pests and educating boat owners on biosecurity risks, and these incursions demonstrate the value of regular surveillance and highlight the importance of boaties making sure the hull is clean before setting off.
Preparing your vessel for the summer
Research shows that hull fouling (the build-up of marine organisms such as algae, barnacles, and seaweed on a boat's underwater surface) is by far the biggest risk for transferring marine pests throughout New Zealand’s marine environment.
A dirty hull may also ruin your holiday plans, as marinas and ports can impose requirements on visiting vessels and may refuse service if these are not met. Many marinas implement the "6 or 1" rule, requiring visiting boats to provide evidence that they have been anti-fouled in the last six months, or have been hauled out and cleaned in the last month after leaving an area infected by marine pests.
Ahead of the busy summer season, now is the time for boaties to start preparing their vessel and play their part in protecting New Zealand’s waters.
The following actions are recommended: - Haul out at least annually, and anytime there is a build-up of fouling. Using an approved haul-out facility means that biofouling and antifouling chemicals are captured and disposed of without harm to the environment.
- Apply antifouling to your vessel. Antifouling coatings are the best weapon against marine pests. An antifouled boat that is clean and well-maintained will also have improved performance and fuel efficiency.
- Check niche areas such as the keel, intakes and outlets, propellers and shafts, rudders and casings. These are prime locations for harbouring pests.
Make use of the winter period to get this important work done.
We recommend booking space at your preferred haul-out ahead of the busy summer season.
Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership Annual Forum 2024
Monday, 9 September
10.00 am - 3.00 pm Saxton Oval Pavilion
Main Road, Stoke, Nelson
Thursday, 3 October
10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Venue TBC, Picton Register your interest to receive event details.
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