Vessels that are cleaned on beaches and tidal areas are a biosecurity risk to Aotea, which is relatively marine pest free. This is one of the main reasons for finding out if some form of boat wash facility is feasible. The haul-out would aim to be a community- led facility to reduce this risk – and provide a place for regular boat maintenance to residents of Aotea.

An invasive marine pest Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) was found at Port Fitzroy in 2017 and since then Auckland Council’s marine biosecurity team have been doing in-water surveillance at Aotea to remove fanworm, monitor for new fanworm sites as well as look out for the arrival of any other new marine pests. Early detection is key when dealing with underwater pests. There have been multiple times where the fanworm has arrived and it has been controlled. But unfortunately, it has now taken hold in the Wairahi Arm/Smokehouse Bay area spreading in Port Fitzroy.

The very low visibility in the Wairahi area limits divers’ ability to find them, and we currently lack tools to manage it now. This area is now considered to be high biosecurity risk and potentially a source of spread to other locations. Two new-to-New Zealand marine pests are also present at Aotea – the ascidian Clavelina oblonga – which was picked up by our team in 2019 and is still the only known location in NZ (Smokehouse Bay & Port Fitzroy vicinity) – and the efficient invader exotic Caulerpa (multiple locations).

An on-island boat cleaning facility has been highlighted as necessary as Aotea is now red flagged to other areas where locals have traditionally taken their boats for hull cleaning service, such as Whitianga or Whangarei.

So, we are in a sticky situation. Join us for the feedback event and/or take the survey today.

What next?

Have your say via the online survey and/or drop-in at the

Community Boat Wash Facility: Feedback Drop-In Event

Claris Conference Centre

25th September from 5 – 6.30pm

Contact:

If you have any questions or feedback you can contact the council’s marine biosecurity team on 09 301 0101 or marinebiosecurity@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz