As advised in our last newsletter, the two exotic caulerpa Controlled Areas (at Aotea/Ahuahu and Te Rāwhiti Inlet) are being extended from their current expiry date of 30 June 2024 to 30 September 2024.

This will provide time for planning and targeted engagement with affected parties before decisions are made on the longer-term future of any control measures.

Anchoring without a permit is banned in all Controlled Area Notice (CAN) areas unless there are no alternatives in emergency situations. There is an exception in parts of Port Fitzroy. See the map on the Aotea Great Barrier Island website.

Some forms of fishing are permitted in Aotea and Ahuahu, including line fishing from the shore, drift fishing from a vessel, spearfishing and hand gathering. No forms of fishing are allowed in the Te Rāwhiti CAN zone.

Any person using equipment in a CAN zone (boats, fishing gear, swimming gear or any other form of equipment) must check it for seaweed before leaving the zone.

Any seaweed present (whether suspected to be exotic caulerpa or not) must be securely stored in a bag or container before leaving the zone, and once out of the zone must be disposed of safely on land (e.g. in household rubbish or compost). If there is no option for safe containment, the seaweed must be immediately placed back where it came from.

Full information is at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa

Aotea Caulerpa Response Team Press Release June 2024

AOTEA CAULERPA RESPONSE TEAM SETTING UP FOR LONG TERM CONTROL OPERATIONS 19 June 2024 Exotic caulerpa seaweed arrived in Aotea waters at least three years ago, probably on the anchor of a boat, and its effects have been felt in … Read More

Aotea Caulerpa Response Team Setting Up For Long Term Control Operation

A new steering team has been established, led by Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, to oversee and coordinate the response to exotic caulerpa seaweed on Aotea Great Barrier Island. The Aotea Caulerpa Response Team (ACRT) wants to drive action in … Read More