Further spread of undaria in Breaksea Sound prompts calls for new regulations

Friday, 22 March 2019

Environment Southland biodiversity manager Ali Meade said everything possible needed to be done to prevent pests.

Boaties in Southland may face stricter regulations after the discovery that the pest seaweed undaria has spread further in Breaksea Sound, Fiordland.

During a Southland Regional Pest Management Plan proposal hearing on Wednesday, Environment Southland announced undaria had been discovered outside of Breaksea Sound's current controlled zone.

The pest seaweed undaria has been discovered outside its current controlled zone in Breaksea Sound, in Fiordland. [File photo]

Undaria in the area has been managed since 2010 in a joint-venture by Environment Southland, Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries and Fiordland Marine Guardians with a goal of complete eradication but has since been changed to containment.

It was thought to be eradicated in Breaksea Sound, but was rediscovered in 2016.

The invasive seaweed undaria on a mooring line in Fiordland.

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Undaria is an Asian seaweed that was first discovered in New Zealand in 1987, and was labelled a unwanted organism under the Biosecurity act in 1993.

On Wednesday, Environment Southland requested a new section be added to the plan that would affect how boats move though Southland waters.

The council is proposing two exemption zones - one in Breaksea Sound and a southern exemption zone between Bluff and Stewart Island, where undaria is known to be in the area.

Boats would be allowed to travel within the exemption zone but vessels and all of its equipment must be clean before leaving the zone.

Environment Southland biosecurity manager Ali Meade said the proposal offers a practical solution, which still enables boats to travel in effected areas while still making efforts to contain the unwanted seaweed.

The Breaksea exemption zone would be extended to all of the sound, instead of a small area in the south.

The proposal would also mean that vessels had to be checked before leaving the Breaksea area, instead of just equipment on-board, such as lobster pots and dive gear.

'We know the damage a marine pest such as undaria or Mediterranean fanworm could do to the ecology and economy of this area, so we all need to do everything possible to prevent pests making it in,' Meade said.