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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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