Biosecurity rules are currently in place, which makes it illegal to fish or take any marine life from 3 harbours on Aotea Great Barrier Island. These harbours include Blind Bay, Tryphena Harbour and Whangaparapara Harbour.

This is to prevent the spread of the serious marine pest, Caulerpa brachypus. If you do anchor in these harbours, you will need a permit from Biosecurity New Zealand to move on.

As well as a Controlled Area Notice, Ngāti Rehua Ngāti Wai ki Aotea has imposed a rāhui on the areas. These controls are in place until Thursday 30th June 2022.

This seaweed can spread rapidly and could affect native species. It is considered an invasive pest in Florida, United States and Martinique in the Caribbean.

We do not know the scale of the affected area, nor how it got here. It may have been brought over by an international vessel, possibly from Australia where it is a native species.

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