Results in from Biosecurity New Zealand’s 2023 surveys

Key harbours in the Top of the North regions have been surveyed by NIWA, using a variety of methods to detect non-native marine organisms, as part of a national surveillance program run by Biosecurity New Zealand.

These twice-yearly surveys, conducted in summer and winter, ensure that high risk sites, which are places where vessels regularly arrive from overseas, are closely monitored. By detecting if and where any new species have been introduced, potential incursions can be responded to quickly, before they have an opportunity to get established or to spread to other locations. 

In Opua and the Waikare Inlet, Whangarei Harbour, and Tauranga Harbour no new-to-New Zealand species were detected - which is great news. In Auckland, several non-indigenous species were detected for the first time in the Waitematā Harbour. None are considered harmful but MPI will continue to monitor them. 

A marine map has been created displaying which non-indigenous marine species are present within the main ports and harbours throughout New Zealand. It also allows you to combine data from the different ports/regions or look at them individually and it’s all just one click away!

You can keep up to date with the management of biofouling on internationally arriving vessels with the Vessel Biosecurity Quarterly, September 2023 - Issue 7 or subscribe here to receive future issues.

2024 summer surveys are currently underway with the Waitematā occurring in mid-February