An estimated 2000 boat hulls will be checked by divers between now and mid-May for a range of unwanted marine pests that are threatening Northland's marine environment.
Northland Regional Council biosecurity manager — marine and strategy, Sophia Clark, said Northland-based dive contractors Marine Environmental Field Services officially began the 2018-19 inspection programme in Whangārei Harbour last month.
"We've been carrying out these hull inspections for several years, and are especially keen to ensure vessels are free of marine pests before their owners start travelling to new areas with the onset of warmer summer weather," she said.
Two thousand hulls, ranging from recreational craft and fishing boats to superyachts and barges, had been checked over the last inspection season, and with pests like the Mediterranean fanworm now established in Whangārei Harbour, and recently being found at Ōpua, the owners of vessels travelling from those areas to other locations were being urged to be extra vigilant.
Ms Clark said as well as rules covering the transportation of marine pests, the council now set limits regarding the amount of biofouling (build-ups of micro-organisms, algae, plants and pests) vessels were permitted to carry.