Marine biosecurity experts call on New Zealand boat owners to ensure they book their haul outs and any services they need ahead of the summer cruising period. “Clean boats are fast boats that perform well but they also don’t spread marine pests that we are worried about,” says senior marine biosecurity advisor at Auckland Council, Sam Happy.
“Biofouling pests are the ones that attach to your hull, or get into prop shafts and other nooks and crannies including under your keel bulb. They can be sneaky, and an up to date antifoul or recent clean is the best way to stop them.” She says this message is important to all boaties but especially those heading to the outer Hauraki Gulf Islands including Aotea/Great Barrier Island, and further afield into Northland and the Coromandel this summer. She says that rules do apply in almost all of New Zealand’s regions and best practice is for your boat’s hull and fittings to carry no more than a light slime layer.
“You don’t want to be turned away and you definitely don’t want to be the one to introduce a pest to one of your favourite bays,” she says. “We all have a part to play – boats entering New Zealand must be clean and domestic boats must also be clean.”
Boatyards and marine trades across the North Island report that their peak period starts in October – and while it can be possible to get space, it’s best to make an early booking so that you don’t miss out.
