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Marine
biosecurity research programmes
The following
marine biosecurity programmes aim to find out more about species
that might enter New Zealand. They also aim to to find out
about marine biodiversity in the areas of New Zealand that
are most at risk from invasion and to work out the best ways
for us to monitor and respond to any problems.
Baseline
Information to Support Border Control
This
programme aims to provide a list of marine plants and animals
found in New Zealand's points of entry, including introduced
species; to contribute to the surveillance programme for exotic
marine pests; and to monitor changes in biodiversity in marine
ports of entry to New Zealand.
Risk
Profile for Marine Invaders
This
programme aims to identify the marine species likely to arrive
in New Zealand waters on ships' hulls or in their ballast
water and assess the risks presented by them. Most exotic
marine species arrive on the fouled hulls of ships or in ballast
water.
Compliance
Monitoring of Ballast Water Exchange
This
programme aims to improve monitoring of boats' and ships'
compliance with New Zealand ballast water exchange requirements.
The scientists involved in this programme are developing a
portable indicator test that customs officers can use to check
that ships and boats have not brought in ballast water from
another port.
By law,
boats and ships coming to New Zealand must exchange their
ballast water in mid-ocean, on their way to New Zealand. Up
to 3 million tonnes of ballast water is discharged into New
Zealand waters each year, representing a major channel for
introducing marine pests.
For the
ballast water exchange controls to be effective, enforcement
agencies need a test that they can use to check that vessels
have followed the rules.
Alternative
Management Tools for Vector Threats
This
programme will develop management tools for vector threats,
including ballast water and hull fouling. As most invasive
marine pests arrive on vessels' hulls or in their ballast
water, suitable arrangements for ballast water exchange and
discharge and for disposal of waste from hull cleaning are
essential components of a marine biosecurity strategy.
Surveillance
for Marine Pests
Unfortunately,
we cannot completely prevent exotic pests from arriving in
New Zealand, so surveillance within New Zealand is an important
part of biosecurity. To help protect New Zealand's marine
biodiversity against incursions by exotic marine pests, a
surveillance programme has been established to improve the
chances of detecting marine pests while eradication and control
measures are still feasible.
Developing
Incursion Response Options/Systems
This
programme will develop a range of tools the Ministry of Fisheries
can use to respond to incursions of undesirable exotic marine
organisms. The Ministry of Fisheries focuses on preventing
introductions of marine pests.
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