What about biosecurity concerns?
Good biosecurity practice is vital to successful marine farming. Introduced marine diseases and pests pose significant threats to the industry.
Like coastal shipping and recreational boating activities, the movement of marine farming vessels, gear, stock and spat around New Zealand can potentially spread marine diseases and pests. Many biofouling species, e.g. barnacles, mussels and sea squirts, thrive on human-made structures. There is the potential for these organisms – some of which are pests – to establish in such places and subsequently spread into the surrounding environment.
To prevent the spread of potentially damaging marine diseases and pests it is important to:
• ensure that farmed stock comes from a healthy source
• farm vessel hulls, farm infrastructure and equipment are kept clean and free of fouling.
There are also some basic actions that marine farmers can take to help reduce biosecurity risk:
• early detection of stock illness and pest species
• early notification of any concerns to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand on
0800 80 99 66
• action to avoid transferring potential pest species around New Zealand
• collation of good information on movement of stock and equipment.
The earlier a disease outbreak, potential marine pest or species of concern is reported to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ), the greater the chance that effective action can be taken. MAFBNZ’s 24-hour Pest and Disease Hotline is 0800 80 99 66 and any reported concerns will be promptly investigated.
Good information on stock and equipment movement is important in the event of a disease outbreak or pest incursion in order to determine possible pathways of spread.
Biosecurity legislation
The Biosecurity Act 1993 imposes certain obligations in relation to the early notification of species of concern. These include:
• Section 44 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 imposes a duty on every person to inform MAFBNZ, of the presence of an organism not normally seen or otherwise detected in New Zealand.
• Section 46 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 requires every person to promptly notify the chief technical officer of the presence or possible presence of notifiable organisms. List of notifiable organisms.
Under the Biosecurity Act 1993, it is illegal to propagate or trade unwanted organisms and pests. It is also important that any imported stock or product complies with New Zealand’s importing regulations.
Codes of practice
The Greenshell™ mussel, Pacific oyster and king salmon farming industries have been proactive in developing environmental codes of practice that include best practice ways to minimise the introduction and spread of marine pests. These environmental codes complement existing MAF Biosecurity New Zealand guidelines. MAFBNZ has information for the aquaculture industry and in its “Clean Boats – Living Seas Boaties’ Guide to Marine Biosecurity.”
Information on the surveillance, response and management of unwanted pests and on aquatic animal diseases diagnostic testing is also available from MAFBNZ.
