Biosecurity pioneer joins Auckland team

Marine biosecurity pioneer Scott Godwin has joined Auckland Council as senior marine biosecurity advisor.

Scott 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.

He says that the challenges in Hawaii when it comes to marine biosecurity are the same but different to those in New Zealand. There are less boats, less movement, and a less intricate coastline. But the warm (and warming) water temperatures, and the proximity between ports and marinas and the famous coral reefs means it’s just as important to stop the spread of marine pests in Hawaii as it is here.

Just like we do, Hawaii has Sabella – albeit a bigger species than the one we call Mediterranean fanworm. There are also 17 species of seaweed that are non-native to Hawaii and most have economic and ecological impacts. A species called Kappaphycus is causing damaging impacts to coral reefs.

In response, Scott says that scientists have harnessed the ability of an urchin (‘ina) which is raised in an aquaculture facility for the purpose of eating the overgrowing algae.

To control the Kappaphycus spread a barge with suction pumps is used to remove a large quantity of the seaweed, with help from divers, over a small reef area. After this is done, native sea urchins called hawa'e maoli (Tripneustes gratilla) are used to clean up any remaining seaweed.

The seaweed is loaded into burlap bags and hauled to shore. It is then given to local contacts to be composted for use by farmers.

“Around the world it has been hard for marine scientists to overcome the inertia around marine pests, but If the reefs are dead, no one comes to look at them,” he says.