New Zealand marine biosecurity: Delivering outcomes in a fluid environment

Abstract

Marine biosecurity, the protection of the marine environment from impacts of non-indigenous species, has a high profile in New Zealand largely associated with a dependence on shipping. The Ministry of Fisheries is the lead agency for marine biosecurity and is tasked with managing the risks posed by pests and non-indigenous marine species. Much like the terrestrial environment, multiple pathways provide ample opportunities for new species to arrive. The Marine Biosecurity Team was established in 1998, and under the Biodiversity package delivered by government, has undertaken an ambitious programme to deliver biosecurity outcomes by reducing the knowledge gaps and establishing management frameworks. A Risk Management Framework aids decision-making and operational planning. Despite significant progress, a number of gaps have been identified in our knowledge base, capability, and capacity that require attention.

Supply-side invasion ecology: characterizing propagule pressure in coastal ecosystems

“…In recent times, the observed rate of new invasions has increased dramatically across global regions, habitat types and taxonomic groups (Mills et al 1993;Cohen & Carlton 1998). For coastal ecosystems, this increase is often driven by dispersal of marine and freshwater organisms through commercial shipping (Ruiz et al 2000;Fofonoff et al 2003;Hewitt et al 2004; but see also Galil 2000). Ships transport rich assemblages of organisms in their ballast tanks, which are routinely filled with coastal waters and discharged at subsequent ports of call (Carlton 1985;Carlton & Geller 1993;Smith et al 1999).…”

First records of the Australian dog whelk,Nassarius(Plicarcularia)burchardi(Dunker in Philippi, 1849) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from New Zealand

“…Judging from protoconch morphology, N. burchardi probably has planktotrophic larval development, with a larval period potentially of sufficient duration to cross the Tasman Sea (Cernohorsky 1984). With no records of N. burchardi from elsewhere in New Zealand, the presence in Waitemata Harbour alone, suggests that the introduction was accidental rather than natural, probably by ship in hull fouling or larvae in ballast water (Hewitt et al 2004). (Willan 1985(Willan , 1987Morley 1988).…”

Molecular genetic tools for environmental monitoring of New Zealand's aquatic habitats, past, present and the future

“…The altered community may undergo degradation of associated ecological, economic and social values (Ehrenfeld 2010). As a consequence, the prevention of ecological invasions has become a priority for many governments, especially in island nations such as New Zealand (Meyerson & Reaser 2002;Hewitt et al 2004). New Zealand has a targeted surveillance programme for the six marine pests that are currently listed on the New Zealand Register of Unwanted Organisms under the Biosecurity Act 1993, including: the European shore crab (Carcinus maenas); Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis); Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis); Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii); Asian clam (Corbula amurensis); and the marine aquarium weed (Caulerpa taxifolia).…”