Cruisers heading to New Zealand to escape the South Pacific Cyclone season or as part of their round the world adventure are being advised to make sure they are fully conversant with the Ministry of Primary Industry’s strict biofouling inspection requirements, so they do not have any clearance issues on arrival.

Published 2 months ago, updated 4 weeks ago

All Vessels Must Meet the Requirements

The first step for yachts arriving into New Zealand is to ensure the vessel meets the requirements of the Craft Risk Management Standard for Vessels. which came into effect in October 2023 and have not changed.

According to the MPI website “MPI has identified vessel biofouling as a serious threat to New Zealand’s marine environment. We know around 90% of invasive marine pests arrive in this country on the submerged surfaces of international vessels. Such pests can adversely impact New Zealand’s environment, unique marine ecosystems, aquaculture industry, and economy. Once here, invasive marine pests are very difficult to eradicate, as shown by the current undergoing Caulerpa management.”

An official from Biosecurity New Zealand told Noonsite that this season, skippers are being encouraged to provide pre-arrival biofouling evidence such as photos and videos if they have it so they (Biosecurity NZ) can provide a pre-arrival assessment of the vessel’s hull.

“If Biosecurity officials are unable to assess the hull due to insufficient evidence, or no evidence is provided, the yachts will be assessed on arrival like the previous seasons, ” said Wendy Lam from Biosecurity New Zealand.

“If Biosecurity officials assess the hulls as compliant (whether from pre-arrival documents or on arrival assessments) then haul outs are not necessary. If any fouling is identified, then Biosecurity will manage the vessel in proportion to the risk the fouling poses; haul outs are not always needed,” she said.

Cleaning and Inspection

Viki Moore from Island Cruising NZ who has been working with MPI, arrival marinas and NZ Marine on pre-approval and arrival requirements on behalf of the cruising community, said vessels visiting NZ need to provide evidence that the entire hull, including niche areas, have been cleaned less than 30 days before arrival.

“MPI has better equipment this season to enable them to easily view hulls,” Viki said.  “MPI is being very strict on this and vessels with biofouling that exceeds threshold levels are managed based on the level of risk they pose. Vessels assessed as high risk are required to address the issue promptly, which may include immediate haul-out for cleaning.

“Vessels on the Island Cruising Sail South to New Zealand Rally are provided a biofouling management plan template they can use to help guide them through the process and provide MPI with all the evidence required for a pre-approval.   We are also in close contact with MPI and advocating on behalf of our members and other cruisers on this matter.”

Regional Requirements

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and regional councils are responsible for marine biosecurity. Work programmes are underway to help prevent marine pests arriving in New Zealand in the first place, to detect and take action against any new arrivals and to help manage any that do become established.

Restrictions are in place in some of the more popular sailing areas including Waiheke Island, Kawau Island and Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf on the North Island and Great Mercury Island offshore of the Coromandel Peninsula.

In the Nelson/Marlborough Sounds area at the the top of the South Island, ensure you know the requirements as divers are inspecting vessels – particularly in the Nelson area and vessels not complying are being towed to either Picton or Nelson, hauled out and cleaned at the owner’s expense.

In the North Island, the Northland Regional Council (NRC) undertake an annual summer hunt for marine pests such as Mediterranean Fanworm. Visiting yachts need to be aware of this as NRC divers and contractors undertake checks on all local and visiting vessels including commercial and recreational, between November and May. Any vessel entering Northland waters or moving from one harbour to another must have no more than ‘light fouling’, defined as a slime layer and/or barnacles and a few patches of macrofouling.

Information

For further information and questions contact info@mpi.govt.nz.

CRMS Regulations

The full regulations can be viewed at:

• MPI – Yachts and Other Recreational Vessels.

Complaints

Any vessels wishing to submit a specific complaint regarding the regulations can use the MPI Contact Us Form or contact Viki at Island Cruising with any concerns – info@islandcruising.nz

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Related Links:

• Noonsite  – NZ Biosecurity 
• MPI – Biofouling Management
• MPI – Yachts and Other Recreational Vessels
• MPI – Places of First Arrival
• Island Cruising NZ
• Northland Regional Council (NRC) Hull Checks
• Nelson City Council Biosecurity