Biosecurity New Zealand’s surveillance of high risk locations for the presence of the sea squirt, the clubbed tunicate, has not detected its presence in Dunedin’s Port or Port Chalmers.
The two ports were checked for the presence of the organism yesterday and today (Wednesday).
Biosecurity New Zealand says that while the non-detections are positive news, it has to be understood that the marine environment is vast and the agency can only target the areas in each location that the sea squirt is thought to be most likely to be present in.
Work is going on at further locations around New Zealand in the coming days.
Locations scheduled to be surveyed are:
- Wellington: Wednesday 16 November (today)
- Napier: Thursday 17/Friday 18 November
- Opua (Northland) - end of this week (date yet to be confirmed)
- Tutukaka (this weekend – 19/20 November)
Note: All of these dates are scheduled but are weather dependant.
Biosecurity New Zealand continues to ask members of the public and marine users to report any suspect finds to its free 0800 number: 0800 80 99 66.
And it is asking boaties to ensure their boat hulls are clean and free of fouling. The sea squirt can be spread on fouled boat hulls.
Detailed information about the sea squirt, including pictures, can be found at: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/seasquirt
For further information, including setting up photo opportunities at surveillance locations, please contact: Lesley Patston Senior Communications Adviser Ph. 027 2051418
