Until April 2010, Fiordland had been apparently free of the pest seaweed Undaria. Now efforts are underway to rid the area of this invasive pest. Your help is needed to make sure this or another pest doesn't make its way into Fiordland again. This factsheet outlines what's happened and how you can help.
Online version of the factsheet
The threat: Undaria is a threat to Fiordland's marine environment with its ability to quickly establish and outcompete native marine species.
What's happened
- The Asian seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Undaria) has established in many parts of New Zealand over the last 20 years. Often called "the gorse of the sea", Undaria is a threat to Fiordland's unique marine environment and the fishing and tourism economies it supports.
- Until April 2010, Fiordland had been apparently free of this pest weed. At that time a single mature plant was found in the remote Sunday Cove in Breaksea Sound. Subsequent investigation uncovered a small area of growth and it is thought that Undaria is not well established yet.
Undaria on mooring rope, Sunday Cove
Where to from here?
- Environment Southland (Southland Regional Council), MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and Department of Conservation have joined forces to try and eliminate Undaria from Sunday Cove.
- As no further mature plants have been discovered since the original find, regular diving inspections are being carried out so that any new plants found can be removed before they have a chance to reproduce.
- Further work is also being done to educate boat owners about good maintenance and hull cleaning to prevent further marine pests reaching Fiordland.
You can help
Your help is needed to ensure Undaria and other pest species don't make it to Fiordland again. Pests like Undaria and other fouling species can hitchhike to new locations on dirty boat bottoms and marine equipment.
- Make sure your antifouling paint is in good condition and have your hull checked for marine pests before you depart for Fiordland.
- Check, clean and dry mooring lines and buoys, fishing or dive gear, kayaks and other recreational equipment before travelling to Fiordland.
- Register your intention to visit Fiordland with your vessel on the Fiordland Marine Area Vessel Intentions Register on the Environmental Southland website. If another marine pest is discovered in Fiordland, this register will enable Environment Southland to inform vessel owners of a new find and to remind them to be extra vigilant when visiting particular areas.
Don't be the next boatie to take a pest species into Fiordland.
For more information, visit MAF Biosecurity New Zealand's website or phone Tim Riding at Environment Southland on +64 3 211 5115.