More undaria plants found on sunken vessel

03 May 2000

The Ministry of Fisheries has confirmed the presence of more undaria plants during a survey of the vessel, Seafresh 1, sunk near Owenga on the Chatham Islands.

A scientist who dived on the vessel yesterday found six plants on the hull of the vessel. These were removed.

Salvage work has commenced to remove the vessel from the Chatham Islands following a direction issued under the Biosecurity Act.

Undaria is an invasive seaweed. It has been present in New Zealand since at least 1987, but is not thought to be on the Chatham Islands.

A spokesperson for the Ministry said the hull would be inspected again in three weeks if the vessel had not been removed by that time.

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