A surveillance operation on Northland waters means a close eye will be kept on overseas yachts arriving in the region.
Biosecurity and Customs officers will join naval personnel aboard HMNZS Rotoiti which left Devonport today on a four-day surveillance operation of the Northland coast to detect biosecurity and Customs risks.
Sharon Tohovaka, Ministry for Primary Industries Manager North Ports, said two detections of the Queensland fruit fly earlier this year prompted the ministry's involvement in the surveillance.
"We have no evidence that yachts were the pathway for the fruit flies, but we want to make sure the path is closed. The surveillance will help provide this reassurance, as will other initiatives we've adopted to enhance yacht biosecurity."
Ms Tohovaka said the the surveillance operation was scheduled for this time because of the vast majority of international yachts that arrive between Labour Weekend and mid-December.