A healthy marine environment is integral to numerous New Zealand economic, social, and cultural values, including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and recreational and customary activities. The introduction and spread of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) via the vessel biofouling pathway may put these values at risk. Over the past two decades, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been proactive in commissioning research focused on the risks associated with vessel biofouling, identification of potential risk vessels, and risk management options. In 2010, MPI consulted on options to manage the biofouling risks on all vessels entering New Zealand waters. In 2014, New Zealand became the first country to introduce mandatory biofouling requirements. Between 2014 and 2018, MPI focused on communicating the requirements to support stakeholder awareness, readiness, and uptake. In parallel, MPI commissioned further research to investigate proactive and reactive approaches to biofouling management. Research outcomes were summarized and technical advice provided to inform stakeholders of what constitutes best biofouling management practices. This review summarizes MPI's research and technical advice on the risks associated with vessel biofouling and its management, and the procedures followed to produce New Zealand's biofouling regulations. The development of these regulations is also contextualized in terms of New Zealand's marine biosecurity system. The transparent and evidencebased approach followed by MPI provides a blueprint for establishing biofouling regulations. Because these regulations are aligned with the International Maritime Organization guidelines, there is the potential to develop consistent global and domestic practices for managing marine NIS introduction and spread.

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Subsea development is becoming commonplace in the UK sector of the North Sea. Over 50% of all fields to be developed in the next ten years on the UK Continental Shelf will be developed subsea and tied back to existing facilities or floating production facilities. In order to facilitate the development of these subsea fields a number of semisubmersibles have been converted from exploration to development mode. These rig modifications have included top drive installation, improved solids control equipment and oil base mud handling facilities, special subsea tree handling equipment, semi-permanent production test facilities and addition of saturation diving equipment. These modifications have enhanced project economics by accelerating the drilling and completion of subsea wells. Each modification is discussed in detail.