Community Exotic Caulerpa Viewer
Anyone interested in knowing where surveillance effort has occurred, and presence/absence of exotic caulerpa.
Boaties or other marine users wanting to make an informed decision about places to avoid for reducing the risk of spread.
With planning for future surveillance & monitoring work.
Use this link to download detailed instructions.
If you have feedback or questions, email info@marinepests.nz and we will direct your message to the right person.
This map is best viewed on a desktop/laptop.
Marine surveillance is challenging. A negative finding, indicated by green, means that no exotic caulerpa was observed by the surveyor in that instance. However, this does not guarantee that caulerpa is absent; it may be present nearby but undetected.
About exotic caulerpa surveillance in New Zealand
The first detection in NZ of exotic caulerpa occurred on Aotea – Great Barrier Island in 2021 by a member of public finding an unfamiliar looking green alga in the shallows. This was confirmed by NIWA taxonomists as Caulerpa brachypus. It was then found at Ahuahu – Great Mercury Island. This turned out to be a slightly different species (Caulerpa parvifolia) but identical looking. Collectively they have been termed exotic caulerpa.
The Biosecurity Act 1993 prohibits movement of exotic caulerpa as an Unwanted Organism and provides for Controlled Area Notices that restrict anchoring and any activities that disturb the seafloor where exotic caulerpa is known to be growing.
Since it was first detected, surveillance effort has been continued by various agencies, regional councils, research institutions, mana whenua, and community groups to help build a picture of where exotic caulerpa is present or absent.
Find out more about the exotic caulerpa response at biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa