Surveillance for new marine pests

Surveillance is the process of systematically collecting, analysing and interpreting information about the presence or absence of unwanted organisms. 2665  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

  1. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/finding-and-reporting-pests-and-diseases/surveillance-programmes/

     

Last updated at 1:51PM on February 6, 2018