Biosecurity responsibilities are shared between central government, regional councils, industry and landowners. Everybody has a role to play in preventing pests and diseases from entering the country and in helping to stop their spread if they do get here.
Specific information on managing some of the pests already here can be found in the pest and weeds section:
Marine biosecuity is an increasingly important priority to protect the high biodiversity values that are present in the coastal waters of the Tasman-Nelson region and our natural fisheries and aquaculture.
The Ministry of Primary Industries is responsible for preventing the importation of unwanted pests and diseases, and for managing or eradicating specified high-risk pests while regional councils are responsible for management of established pests.
A collaborative approach has been used to set up the Top of the South (TOS) Marine Biosecurity Partnerships with funding from central government being matched by funding from Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough councils. This funding has been used to develop a Marine Biosecurity Strategic Plan, Operational Manual and Work Plan and to develop closer links with a range of stakeholders and industry groups.
Since 2015 the Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership has been conducting in-water surveys of recreational boats in the Top of the South region to check for marine pests, assess levels of boat fouling, and to check for pests on adjacent structures like swing moorings and jetties.
The result is one of the most comprehensive marine pest survey databases around. It has been set up so you can explore the data and the maps very easily.
See the results for our region and get more information on their website.
Last modified:
