New tool to keep marine pests out of Fiordland

Environment Southland councillors yesterday agreed to co-fund the purchase of an inflatable vessel quarantine facility, which is a major step forward in the fight to keep new marine pests from entering Fiordland’s pristine waters.

The councillors approved a contribution of up to $20,000 towards the cost of a 20 metre vessel quarantine facility, based on a 50/50 funding arrangement with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Environment Southland Chairman Ali Timms said it was a wise investment. “If a marine pest got established in Fiordland it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove it. Having the capacity to immediately respond to an identified risk is a much more economical option.”

The vessel quarantine facility comprises an inflatable enclosed pontoon with a PVC floor. The stern of the pontoon can be deflated and lowered to enable a vessel (up to 20m long) to be floated in, where the vessel can be safely treated to kill all fouling on the vessel hull.

Environment Southland biosecurity manager Richard Bowman said marine pests such as Undaria, Mediterranean fan worm and exotic tunicates pose a very high risk to the pristine waters of Fiordland.

With an increasing number of vessels from other parts of New Zealand entering the Fiordland marine area, there is significant risk of hulls fouled by these marine pests making their way into the waters.

Mr Bowman said smaller recreational yachts and motor cruisers pose the highest risk. “Boaties have a responsibility to clean their hulls before entering Fiordland in the first instance.”

He said the new facility would allow on-site treatment in high risk biosecurity emergency situations.

“This will be especially useful in situations where it could be dangerous to move a vessel for treatment, with the risk of marine pests being dislodged from the hull.”

The equipment will be operated under a user-pays system, with those found in Fiordland with designated pests on their hulls potentially liable for the costs of deploying the quarantine facility, staff time and transport.

It is also possible for the facility to be used for oil spill response, allowing a leaking vessel to be contained in the dock, preventing the spread of contaminants into the environment.

Mr Bowman said the equipment will be ordered early in the new year.

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