The increasing concern over foreign invasive species, particularly through biofouling, is a significant issue for New Zealand's marine ecosystems and industries. Biofouling, which involves the accumulation of aquatic organisms on submerged surfaces like ships and aquaculture equipment, plays a role in introducing non-indigenous species to new environments. These species can become invasive and are often difficult or impossible to eradicate once they establish themselves.

To address this, governing bodies are implementing stricter policies to protect marine environments and associated industries. Pauanui Waterways has introduced a Biosecurity Management Plan, which takes a proactive approach to risk mitigation.  This plan includes measures such as monitoring every four years to detect contaminants in the canals. We annually review the status of the canals to determine if regular annual scraping of structures is required to minimize the risk of introducing marine non-indigenous species.

This type of management is crucial for preserving the marine biodiversity of New Zealand’s marine eco system, safeguarding the seafood industry, and maintaining the social and cultural value that we derive from the sea.