Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

(Photo: Chris Woods, NIWA)

NIWA has recently completed an evaluation of five commercial hull-cleaning facilities for Biosecurity New Zealand. We assessed their effectiveness at killing and containing marine hull-fouling organisms in both summer and winter. We also identified the critical requirements to minimise the risk of introducing and spreading nonindigenous marine organisms through waste material from the cleaning operations.

The efficacy of hull cleaning was found to vary with cleaning method, type and size of waste treatment systems, and, to a lesser degree, season. Biosecurity New Zealand will use the findings and recommendations to assist in the development of a standard for approved hull cleaning processes.