No Sea Squirt detected in Napier

Biosecurity New Zealand’s surveillance of high risk locations for the presence of the sea squirt, the clubbed tunicate, has not detected its presence in Napier’s port.

The port was checked both from the surface at low tide and by divers for the presence of the organism yesterday and today (Friday).

Biosecurity New Zealand says that while the non-detection is positive news, it has to be understood that the marine environment is vast and the agency can only target the areas in each location that the sea squirt is thought to be most likely to be present in.

Work is going on at further locations around New Zealand in the coming days.

Locations scheduled to be surveyed are:

• Opua (Bay of Islands) – 20 November • Tutukaka - this weekend – 21 November

And tentative start dates are scheduled for the following:

• Whakatane Port – 26 Nov • Whitianga Marina – 26 Nov • Tauranga Bridge Marina – 26 Nov • Tauranga Port – 26 Nov • New Plymouth – 30 Nov

Note: These dates are all weather dependant.

Biosecurity New Zealand continues to ask members of the public and marine users to report any suspect finds to its free 0800 number: 0800 80 99 66.

And it is asking boaties to ensure their boat hulls are clean and free of fouling. The sea squirt can be spread on fouled boat hulls.

Detailed information about the sea squirt, including pictures, can be found at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/seasquirt

© Scoop Media