Source: Auckland Council
Exotic caulerpa can travel quickly over long distances on vessels and equipment, and that’s why it’s been found around the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf and parts of the Coromandel in popular anchorage locations.
It’s a changing situation. By knowing the rules, and where exotic caulerpa has been found, you can help stop its spread to new locations.
Exotic caulerpa locations
At the time of writing, exotic caulerpa has been found in eight locations in the region. As much as you can, avoid all locations where caulerpa has been found.
For a more detailed view, you can also use this link to see an interactive web map that displays surveillance data.
The exotic caulerpa rules
Anchors, chains and fishing/diving gear can break up caulerpa and pieces get snagged, accidentally moving it to new locations. The rules are designed to stop this happening.
Download this guide to the current Auckland rules and guidelines.
There are also restrictions in place outside our region in the Bay of Islands and Ahuahu / Great Mercury Island.
Legal restrictions can change at short notice, and Biosecurity New Zealand’s website will always contain the latest information.
We recommend looking before you head out on the water.
Cleaning instructions
When at sea, check your anchor, chain and equipment for any attached seaweed. If you find any, bag it and bin it onshore. If you can’t do this, return it to the waters it came from; do not move it to a new location.
Why are there different rules in different locations?
In some locations, boats are still able to come and go, but they must follow specific cleaning protocols before departing. Also, they must not fish in this area using any method that makes contact with the seabed. In other locations, such as Aotea Great Barrier, the rules are more restrictive, prohibiting anchoring and contact with the seabed. In setting restrictions, Biosecurity New Zealand considers the caulerpa coverage, as well as the volumes of vessel traffic and the potential impacts caulerpa, or controls, would have on an area.
Reporting exotic caulerpa
If you see any exotic caulerpa outside a known area, take a photo, record the location, and report it to MPI on 0800 80 99 66.