Biosecurity New Zealand has reported a busy season for yacht arrivals with the usual food, plants, animals, equipment and personal items needing checking along with some notable discoveries, including giant clam shells and coral heads concealed under yacht floorboards.

Published 1 year ago

Source:  Biosecurity New Zealand

It’s been a busy yacht season, with more recreational craft arriving to New Zealand shores than expected after the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions.

According to Biosecurity New Zealand’s latest quarterly report, approximately 382 yachts were cleared by officers between October 2022 and early January 2023.

That included more than 220 yachts at Opua – a significant increase on the projected 160 yachts. Marsden Cove also had relatively high numbers, with about 70 yachts while in Auckland, (Westhaven, Silo and Viaduct marinas), about 40 yachts were cleared. In comparison, officers cleared 158 yachts in total in the 2021 season.

One especially busy week saw an almost record number of daily arrivals, which made for some long, hot days and saw a large number of seizures.

Some notable discoveries

The usual food, plants, animals, equipment and personal items needed checking, but some more notable discoveries included giant clam shells and coral heads concealed under cabin floorboards,  which had to be referred to the Department of Conservation to be checked against the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Termite infestations were found on two yachts and needed to be treated, and biofouling required a yacht to be hauled and cleaned.

Increase in pet arrivals

The season also saw a higher number of animals arriving on board, which Biosecurity NZ believes is due to pets being able to return for the first time since the pandemic. Animals on board yachts need to arrive at certain PoFAs approved for both yacht and animal clearances, require documentation, and need to be seen by Biosecurity NZ officers. If they meet requirements, they are transferred to an approved facility for quarantine.

One unfortunate cat didn’t have the necessary pre-arrival documentation so had to remain at a secure berth while awaiting clearance. These animals are fed and checked every day and any waste is collected and disposed of in an approved manner.

Biosecurity NZ said that overall, they have been impressed by the general cooperation of foreign crew, their awareness of and compliance with New Zealand’s biosecurity requirements, the clearance process, and best practice maintenance for biofouling.

Yacht fouling caught on camera

A new underwater camera prototype is helping Biosecurity NZ officers spot biofouling on yacht hulls. The camera has been in action at Opua during the current yacht season. It features a well-known action camera brand mounted on a pole.

As wi-fi doesn’t work well underwater, a cable connects the camera to a standard smart phone, allowing officers to view and record hull images. Biosecurity NZ has used underwater cameras to detect biofouling for some years. Previous versions, however, have been prone to technical issues, including battery failures and difficulties getting clear images in murky water conditions.

The new camera is still a work in progress. Biosecurity NZ is looking at making some improvements, such as permanently fixing the cable to the camera. If all goes well, they expect to have at least three units available for the next yacht season.

The images inform Biosecurity NZ officers’ risk management decisions.  Dirty yachts can be directed to dry dock to undergo cleaning. Ultimately, excessively fouled vessels can be ordered to leave New Zealand waters.

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Related Links:

• NZ Biosecurity Quarterly – March 2023 – Issue 5
• Ministry for Primary Industries  – Biosecurity New Zealand
• Biosecurity New Zealand – Biofouling requirements for Yachts and Recreational Vessels

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