ENVIRONMENT WATCH
STOP UNDARIA GAINING HOLD IN FIORDLAND
BY JENNIE BRENTON T
he discovery of undaria in April 2010 in Breaksea Sound was a wakeup call over how easily this marine pest can threaten the Fiordland coast. Each year, hundreds of commercial and recreational vessels enter the fiords from other regions of New Zealand and around the world, and any one of them could introduce marine pests. Bio- fouling, (where pests attach themselves to a vessel's hull) is one of the most significant means of pests spreading from location to location. Once they become established these marine pests can quickly spread through new locations. They can seriously affect marine habitats, fish stocks, recreational activities and commercial fishing, and they are extremely difficult and expensive to control or eradicate.
Clubbed tunicate sea squirt (Styela clava)
The Fiordland Marine Guardians, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Department of Conservation and Environment Southland are working to keep the coast free of marine pests. They are asking visitors to the area, including anyone relocating marine equipment such as buoys or ropes, to follow some simple biosecurity precautions: • check your vessel's hull before entering Fiordland and if it is fouled, clean it
• dispose of any debris removed from the hull on land (ie, prevent it getting back into the water)
• check, clean and dry any mooring lines and buoys, kayaks and any other marine equipment before using it in Fiordland waters. If lines or buoys cannot be dried, disinfect them by soaking them in bleach overnight, and
• remove all marine debris such as seaweed from diving gear and rinse and soak the gear in fresh water. Wetsuits should ideally be
Treasure islands Check for stowaways PLEASE
CHECK YOUR BOAT AND GEAR FOR RATS, MICE, ARGENTINE ANTS, RAINBOW SKINKS, SOIL AND SEEDS
SET BAIT OR TRAPS FOR ANIMAL PESTS REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)
January/February 2012 Professional Skipper 53
Sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)
Japanese kelp seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida)
Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii)
rinsed with a special wetsuit cleaning product and allowed to air dry for a few days.
As well as helping keep the fiords free of pests, regularly cleaning your hull will enable your vessel to obtain maximum speed and reduce running costs.
If you are visiting Fiordland, particularly to dive, and spot any of these known pests or anything else unusual, note its location and phone MAF's freephone, 0800 80 99 66.
www.projectislandsong.co.nz www.treasureislands.co.nz
