Subscribe to The NZUA And Support the Underwater Community

Packed with the latest diving news, events and deals, the NZUA newsletter is a monthly must-read for all those passionate about the New Zealand underwater realm.
Subscribers directly support NZ Underwater's activities in the marine environment, help leverage govt. funding for safety campaigning and grow participation across the sector.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Restrictions to stop spread of non-native Caulerpa brachypus seaweed at Aotea Great Barrier Island

Dec 10, 2021
Environment
News
Restrictions to stop spread of non-native Caulerpa brachypus seaweed at Aotea Great Barrier Island

Important notice to divers: There are restrictions on some water activities in parts of Great Barrier Island to prevent the spread of an invasive non-native seaweed that’s been found there.

Important notice to divers. Invasive Caulerpa brachypus at Aotea, Great Barrier Island

There are restrictions on some water activities in parts of Great Barrier Island to prevent the spread of an invasive non-native seaweed that’s been found there.

Caulerpa brachypus is widespread in Blind Bay, and also present in Tryphena and Whangaparapara Harbours. If uncontrolled, this pest seaweed could overrun native marine life.

While work is underway to understand the situation and how best to manage it, Biosecurity New Zealand has placed a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) on the three harbours through to June next year. Response partners Ngāti Rehua Ngāti Wai ki Aotea have imposed a rāhui on the same areas.

Under the CAN, fishing and seafood gathering inside the three harbours is prohibited, though the waters can be used for any other activities so long as no anchor is dropped. If vessels anchor, a permit is required from Biosecurity New Zealand to weigh anchor and move on.

These rules are in place because Caulerpa can be spread easily once broken into smaller pieces, either through wave action or disturbance by human activity and related equipment, including fishing and dive gear, as well as anchors.

Boats can still be launched in the three harbours, so long as any fishing or diving is done outside of the affected areas. Any seaweed or plant matter found on equipment should be cleaned off prior to leaving a controlled area and returned to the same waters it was found. Equipment that has been in contact with plant matter from any of the three harbours must be cleaned with freshwater and dried inside and out, then left to stand for 48hours before returning to ocean use.

 If you are in, on or around Aotea Great Barrier Island and suspect you have found Caulerpa brachypus, you should make a note of the location, take a photo if possible and contact Biosecurity New Zealand at 0800 80 99 66.

A list of what can and can't be done in the controlled area is available of the MPI website.

To check the rules and find out more information visit: biosecurity.govt.nz/Caulerpa

Related posts

Future catch discussion panel
Environment

Future catch discussion panel

NZUA would like to notify members of the coming event, The Future Catch Discussion Panel. If you are concerned about declining fish stocks and the impact on recreational fishing, then this is an important event to be aware of and possibly to attend.
Have your say on the Draft National Inshore Finfish Fisheries Plan
Environment

Have your say on the Draft National Inshore Finfish Fisheries Plan

Many of us in the underwater community are in some way involved or are affected by fisheries and now's our chance to have our say by sharing our thoughts on the Fisheries New Zealand draft plan to improve inshore finfish fisheries.
Auckland Council stormwater consent application
Environment

Auckland Council stormwater consent application

Stormwater Network Diversion and Discharge Consent for the existing and future Auckland stormwater network
Story of the month- Licking my Green Lips
Environment

Story of the month- Licking my Green Lips

I have always adored seafood. I’ll eat it in all forms- fish, shellfish, crustaceans, raw, boiled, baked, I don’t care, as long as it gets in my belly. One of the most exciting papers I have taken this semester has been solely focussed on fisheries and aquaculture and I’m thoroughly enjoying the breadth of topics covered. One lecture was spent analysing green-lipped mussel farming in New Zealand.
Scallop Fisheries Closure Update SCA-7
Environment

Scallop Fisheries Closure Update SCA-7

In June, Fisheries New Zealand proposed to continue the current full closure of the SCA-7 scallop area (Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and Port Underwood) for the 2018/2019 season.
CRA-2 Ministry Decision
Environment

CRA-2 Ministry Decision

New Zealand Underwater is pleased to announce that the Minister of Fisheries, the Hon. Stuart Nash, has made decisions about changes to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) restrictions in crayfish management areas CRA-2 (Te Arai Point to East Cape), CRA-4 (Hawkes Bay to Wellington), CRA-7 (Otago) and CRA-8 (Southern).
All Related

See Also

newsletter
Events

NZ Divers Survey 2024 Competition - Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions for the 2024 NZ Diver's Survey Competition. Incudes details of the Fiji holiday prize, the survey promotor, relevant dates and more.
newsletter
News

Dive Pacific to launch progressive, community-first digital platform

The New Zealand Underwater Association is pleased to announce an expansion of its Dive Pacific digital offering.
newsletter
Events

68th Annual General Meeting 2021

On the 3rd of July 2021, the NZUA hosts its 68 Annual General Meeeting
newsletter
News

Season’s greetings from the NZUA

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from NZUA
newsletter
Survive the Dive

Survive the Dive certification launched

Survive the Dive online training and certificate platform launched for all New Zealand divers.
newsletter
News

Enjoy Dive Pacific magazine – on us!

NZUA's gift to you: the Dec/Jan issue of Dive Pacific magazine
All Posts

Recent

NZ Divers Survey 2024 Competition - Terms & Conditions
Dive Pacific to launch progressive, community-first digital platform
Restrictions to stop spread of non-native Caulerpa brachypus seaweed at Aotea Great Barrier Island
68th Annual General Meeting 2021