Marine Biosecurity

Introduction

The Ministry took on responsibility for several aspects of marine biosecurity from 1 July 1997, when it was funded to address threats posed to New Zealand's marine environment from ballast water and hull de-fouling. Subsequently the role has expanded to include surveillance and incursion response in the marine environment, and limited pest management. The current biosecurity budget is $462,000.

The Ministry of Fisheries' biosecurity role sits comfortably with its strategic vision of sustainable fisheries in a healthy aquatic environment, and links into its research, international and customary harvest responsibilities.

The Ministry works closely with other Government agencies in carrying out its biosecurity responsibilities, and contracts operational services from other agencies. Close and constructive relationships with the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are cemented in Memoranda of Understanding to help ensure clear communication and co-operation. There is also active involvement with the Biosecurity Council, where the Ministry is represented by the Chief Executive, and the Biosecurity Technical Forum.

Ministry core responsibilities

The Ministry of Fisheries has responsibility and funding for the following set of marine biosecurity functions:

• ballast water and hull de-fouling policy

• ballast water inspection services at the border

• limited surveillance in the marine environment

• leading incursion response in the marine environment

• developing a national pest management strategy for Undaria pinnatifida

• some international advocacy for consistent ballast water approaches.

Current Priorities

A foundation for a marine biosecurity system is currently being established, with efforts focused on preventing the arrival of new organisms, while continuing to improve the ability to detect and respond to any threats from new organisms.

The Import Health Standard for Ballast Water from all countries, promulgated in May 1998, was the first step in this system. This provides for controls on the discharge of ballast water in New Zealand ports, which is one of the main avenues for the intrusion of aquatic pests into our marine environment. The Ministry is now fine-tuning the Standard and developing techniques to maximise its effectiveness.

Vessel ballast reporting was introduced at the same time as the Standard. The collated data from ballast water discharges will provide an invaluable information tool to support compliance efforts. Because compliance with ballast requirements can be difficult to determine, the Ministry is working on ways of improving compliance validation, including work with Australian agencies on research and operational issues. Hull de-fouling is another way that new organisms may intrude into New Zealand waters. The Ministry is working on identifying the best means of controlling this threat, and is consulting on regulatory instruments.

The Ministry assumed responsibility as the lead government agency to manage the response to incursions of exotic aquatic pests in the marine environment in November 1998 and developed a protocol to provide an overall guide in incursion responses. Development continues as local and international experience is gained.

Funding for the initial response actions determining the scale of the infestation is generally found from the Vote:Biosecurity (Fisheries) allocation. However, the Ministry is not funded for any further response and additional resources must be sought from Cabinet. The Biosecurity Council has been working on a proposal for funding incursion response that would avoid the delay implicit in seeking new appropriation on a case by case basis.

A biosecurity surveillance network launched in November 1999 is aimed at raising public and stakeholder awareness of the need for vigilance about exotic pests in the marine environment, and establishing systems to capture and use information about new species intruding into New Zealand's marine environment.

Pest management has focused on developing a national pest management strategy for Undaria, an invasive seaweed which potentially poses a threat to the marine environment and marine farming. The Ministry is undertaking this work in parallel with Undaria eradication work by the Department of Conservation in Stewart Island. The National Pest Management Strategy examines the long-term management options for Undaria, including considering potentially conflicting calls for eradication versus farming, and is due for public consultation in March 2000.

Stakeholder groups

The Ministry has a constructive relationship with a wide range of stakeholders in marine biosecurity. Fora for consultation include the Ballast Water Advisory Group. The main stakeholder groups are:

• shipping industry local and international

• shipping agents

• environmental groups

• fishing industry

• government agencies

• Maori

• recreational boat owners

• recreational users (including divers and recreational fishers)

• Regional Councils

aquaculture industry.