No Sea Squirt detected in Opua (Northland)

Advisory – No Sea Squirt detected in Opua (Northland)

21 November 2005

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 Opua in Northland.

The area was checked for the organism during the weekend.

The Tutukaka Marina in Northland is being examined today, but results are not yet available.

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.

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 – 1 December

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:
www.biosecurity.govt.nz/seasquirt

ENDS

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