Saltwater Organisms

The arrival and uncontrolled spread of unwanted saltwater organisms is an ever present threat to New Zealand's unique marine environment.

Some marine pests are already established in locations around New Zealand. This map details existing marine pest detections.

There are a number of things you need to do to protect this environment from further marine pest introductions if you are entering New Zealand by sea, if you intend to import any saltwater organisms or products, or if you are the owner/operator of a moored vessel.

A key responsibility any master of a vessel (recreational cruising or commercial shipping) entering New Zealand can take is to ensure their vessel's hull is clean, free of fouling and well coated with antifouling paint. As well, if their vessel carries ballast water, they must be aware of and comply with New Zealand's regulations around the discharge of ballast.

Full information on entering New Zealand by sea and the measures recommended to protect New Zealand's marine environment is available at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/enter/ships.

Information on hull cleaning for cruising yachties is at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/enter/ships/you-know-new-zealand-has.pdf (1296 KB).

While any exotic organism entering our marine waters poses significant risk, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is focused on six specific unwanted marine organisms.

This is based on a high likelihood of arrival, their potential for significant spread, and their history of invasiveness overseas.

Those on the six most unwanted list are:

• Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis
• Mediterranean fanworm, Sabella spallanzanii
• Northern Pacific seastar, Asterias amurensis
• European shore crab, Carcinus maenas
• Asian clam, Potamocorbula amurensis
• Caulerpa taxifolia (a marine aquarium weed).

Marine pest surveillance brochure (1554 KB) 

If you believe you've seen any of these unwanted pests,or anything else that appears out of the ordinary to you, carefully note its location, take a sample if you can and immediately ring MAF Biosecurity New Zealand's hotline: 0800 80 99 66.

See the Pest and Diseases List for a complete listing of marine and other pests.

Page last updated: 3 May 2011