Mt Manganui Underwater Club Biosecurity

A Recent club meeting had Andy Wills teaching us more about Biosecurity in Bay of Plenty

October 7, 2024
Andy's informative talk lead to a lot of discussion and questions which he happily answered
Andy's informative talk lead to a lot of discussion and questions which he happily answered
Photographer:

Like me I am sure you want to know more about what is happening in your region or around New Zealand when it comes to Marine or Freshwater Biosecurity.

Recently, I was able to attended a talk at the Mt Manganui Underwater Club monthly meeting, held at the Mt Oceans Sports Club at Salisbury wharf.
Andy Wills, A Biosecurity officer for Bay of Plenty Regional Council was speaking in regards to several marine pest species and how to deal with them. Check out a short video of Andy. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1067321820320260

Having worked in Biosecurity for many years I was interested to hear what was going on in the Bay of plenty Region.
The evening was very informative with about 30 club members able share in this knowledge and passion for the marine environment.

Several Pest Species have been found in Tauranga Harbour and have been part of an ongoing control and containment protect.

  • Undaria (Undaria pinnatifida) Found on rocks and piles within Tauranga harbour.
  • Mediterranean Fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) Elimination programmes are underway in the Coromandel, Tauranga, and Nelson harbours.
  • Asian Paddle Crab (Charybdis japonica) Asian paddle crabs have been found in a number of harbours in the North Island including Waikare inlet in Northland, Whangarei, Waitemata, Tauranga harbour and as far south as Ōhiwa Harbour.
  • Clubbed tunicate (Styela clava) In the Bay of Plenty the clubbed tunicate has been found on vessel hulls and piles within the Tauranga Harbour but has not become established.


A great piece of information was the website Clean Below Good to Go. Created to give informative ideas in regards to Marine pests, biofouling, cleaning equipment, and boat maintenance – this website is a complete guide to marine biosecurity for boat owners and operators in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A few of the Pest Species to look out for
A few of the Pest Species to look out for
Andy explaining about Mediterranean fanworm
Andy explaining about Mediterranean fanworm

81 Mediterranean Fan Worm (Sabella spallanzanii) were found of the sea floor in Pilot Bay

https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/news/news-and-media-releases/media-releases-2023/november-2023/mediterranean-fanworm-infestation-found-in-pilot-bay/

How did it get here?

It is thought to have arrived in New Zealand as an unwanted hitchhiker on a vessel, either as larvae held in ballast water or as hull fouling.

Why is it a pest?

  • Mediterranean fanworm form dense beds that are likely to out-compete other species for food and space.
  • It can form colonies of up to 1000 individuals per square metre.
  • It is a highly effective filter feeder.
  • In high densities is likely to impact commercially important species (mussels, oysters, scallops, etc).
Photo Credit S Wilkins - NIWA
Photo Credit S Wilkins - NIWA
Photo credit MPI
Photo credit MPI

What we could all do as divers to help protect it.

How can you help?
How can you help?

BOPRC are working hard to stop unwanted pests in the region

As we all know invasive Caulerpa has been found in Northland, BOPRC are working hard to stop any incursions of this marine pest plant occurring within the Bay of Plenty. If you see anything that you suspect is Caulerpa please notify them ASAP (0800 STOP PESTS) 0800 786 773

Marine Pest ID Webinar October 22nd 6:55 pm- 7:55 pm

Learn how to identify some of the marine pests we are most worried about in New Zealand’s North Island. Join in on this live webinar at 7pm on Tuesday 22 October.
Learn about how to detect pests in marinas, marine farms and natural coastal environments.

What it will cover:
An overview of the marine pests we are most concerned about and how to correctly identify them
Guidance on when and how to report a marine pest and what to do if you do find one.
Information about how pests can hitchhike in the marine environment as biofouling, and as fragments on equipment

This webinar will also be an opportunity to ask questions about marine biosecurity and the work programme underway by the Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership.

This webinar is free to attend. Please register here.
https://www.marinepests.nz/events/marine-pest-id-webinar-2

Thank you Andy Wills for a very informative evening.

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Warrick Powrie

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I started scuba diving in 1988. I have always been passionate about marine conservation and underwater photography.

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