Category: New Zealand Government – Business

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has been working closely with cruise lines to ensure their vessels arrive with clean hulls as the busy summer season approaches.

The summer cruise season runs from October to April. Biosecurity New Zealand expects to see 57 cruise vessels from 20 major lines make journeys to New Zealand, an increase of nearly 30% from the 2022/23 season. It is preparing for 1,194 port calls, compared with 988 during the last season.

“There has been a lot of effort in recent months to alert cruise lines about their biosecurity requirements, including ensuring they comply with New Zealand’s biofouling rules,” says Paul Hallett, environmental health manager, Biosecurity New Zealand.

“Biofouling continues to be a major biosecurity threat. We know that almost 90% of the exotic marine species already in New Zealand likely arrived here as marine growth on the submerged surfaces of international vessels.”

Last season, Biosecurity New Zealand issued notices of direction to 11 vessels for failing biofouling assessments. In some cases, affected cruise ships were unable to visit environmentally sensitive areas like Fiordland.

“The season was challenging for some vessel operators. In many cases, cruise vessels had been sitting idle for many months during the pandemic. Long layups can contribute to marine growth and reduce the effectiveness of antifouling coatings,” Mr Hallett says.

“Despite the challenges, we commend the cruise industry for its compliance efforts. The majority of cruise ships visiting New Zealand met last season’s biofouling regulations. Those that didn’t, worked with us to address failings, and most were able to complete their full itineraries.”

He says there is high awareness about New Zealand’s biofouling rules among cruise lines this season and a keenness to comply.   

“We know some vessels have undergone dry-dock cleaning in the lead-up to the season. Others have discussed more frequent cleaning as part of their management plans. And we had discussions about new scanning technology for underwater hull inspections.”

Cruise lines must demonstrate they meet a range of biosecurity requirements to gain approval to voyage to New Zealand.

“We’ve been asking cruise lines to submit biofouling documentation and craft risk management plans as early as possible. This has allowed us to provide early notification of any cleaning requirements, helping avoid voyage delays. We appreciate that cleaning the hull of a cruise ship is a difficult and complex task often dictated by the weather.”

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Raglan commercial fisher has today been fined $14,000 in the Hamilton District Court for illegally trawling in a restricted area.

Warrick Lloyd Harris (52) is an owner operator and sole skipper of the fishing vessel Joanne. He was sentenced on one representative charge under Fisheries (Auckland and Kermadec area commercial fishing) Regulations 1986, for carrying out the trawls, following a successful prosecution by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

“Mr Harris fished in an area off the west coast of the North Island which was closed to trawling to protect endangered Māui dolphins,” says MPI regional manager, investigations north, Aleshea Allen.

“Those restrictions are in place for a very good reason. Most commercial fishers do the right thing, but our message to those who want to break the rules is clear – we will pursue this offending and put it before the courts.

Fisheries New Zealand digitally monitors all commercial inshore and deep-sea vessels through a digital tracking and reporting system which provides reliable evidence if fishers are trawling in prohibited areas.

“We expect commercial fishers to know where they’re legally able to fish and have the right equipment on board their vessels to alert them if they’ve strayed into protected areas.

“Mr Harris has been a commercial fisher for around 25 years and has fished out of Raglan for more than 20 years – he should have known better.”

Fisheries analysts uncovered the offending in 2021 by analysing the digital monitoring data. Fishery officers then inspected his fishing records and opened an investigation.

“Māui dolphins are only found in New Zealand waters, they are a taonga and must be protected. We would advise any commercial fishers operating close to these prohibited areas that the risk to these mammals and your reputation is not worth it,” she says.

On board cameras are being rolled out across the inshore commercial fleet and have been prioritised on boats posing a higher risk to protected species.

Mr Harris’s fishing vessel Joanne, was forfeited to the Crown.

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising people not to consume a seaweed tonic being sold in a glass bottle labelled ‘NZ Focuidan’ or an unlabelled bottle.

“The tonic presents a concerning food safety risk because it has not been through the required checks and balances to make sure it is safe to consume,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Because this product has not been registered under the Food Act, consumers cannot be certain that risks have been properly identified and managed.

“Seaweed can contain chemical hazards such as inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.

“NZ Focuidan is made with seaweed, which can be high in iodine. Without proper controls, treatments and dosage information, iodine can be dangerous, particularly to those with thyroid conditions.

“The product also makes concerning prohibited therapeutic claims and consumers should not be led by these claims,” Mr Arbuckle says.

“If you have bought this product – which is either labelled ‘NZ Focuidan’ or has limited or no identifying labelling or branding – do not consume it and throw it out.”

“Available evidence suggests the seaweed tonic has been available for sale through informal sellers and local markets.”

New Zealand Food Safety is working to ensure this product is removed from sale.

More information about the product

If you have any concerns about these products, call MPI’s consumer helpline on 0800 00 83 33.

There have been no reports of associated illness to date.

If you have consumed this product and have any health concerns, seek medical advice. Contact your health professional, call healthline on 0800 61 11 16 or call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 76 47 66.