Surveillance for new marine pests
Surveillance is the process of systematically collecting, analysing and interpreting information about the presence or absence of unwanted organisms.
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The MPI for Primary Industry's marine biosecurity surveillance programme falls into three main groups which are identified in the figure below.
Programme | Involves | Current Examples |
Historical - Baseline Surveillance | - Obtaining baseline information at highest risk sites
- Providing a benchmark against which the effectiveness of border control and other management practices can be measured
| - Baseline surveillance for marine pests between 2001-03 and 2005
- Baseline surveillance has been completed on non-indigenous marine species at 16 major ports and marinas of international entry
- An additional eight secondary ports and hubs have also been surveyed
|
Current - Targeted Surveillance | - Focusing on a specific organism or group of related organisms
- Can be designed as an on-going programme or as a one-off survey
- Maintain a watch for non-target, new-to-New Zealand organisms
| - Five marine pests are currently targeted (Chinese mitten crab, European shore crab, Asian clam, Caulerpa taxifolia and northern Pacific seastar)
- Targeted surveillance programmes at 11 high risk locations, biannually, for a range of target organisms
|
Current - Passive Surveillance | - Asking all persons in New Zealand (including public and industry) to keep watch for unwanted pests and diseases
- Investigating notifications of suspected unwanted pests and diseases
- Monitoring and analysing trends in information relating to pests and diseases
| - Targeted communication material such as lists of notifiable pests, diseases and unwanted organisms, and guides for vessel owners circulated to raise awareness and enhance passive surveillance
- The Pest and Disease Hotline (0800 80 9966)
- Incursion Investigators
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Last updated at 1:51PM on February 6, 2018