Marine Domestic Pathway Management

Amendments to the Biosecurity Act in 2012 allowed for the creation of Pathway Management Plans to reduce the spread of marine pests and diseases that are already present in New Zealand, but not yet widespread. Regional Councils around New Zealand have been developing pathway management plans that include practical measures to reduce the risks of transport of marine pests on domestic vessels, within the aquaculture industry and by other marine activities. These plans will help protect the environment, economic activity and social and cultural activities that are dependent on healthy oceans.

Several different regional marine pathway plans are currently being developed. These are in the top of the North Island, top of the South Island, and Fiordland. The Department of Conservation has also developed a Regional Coastal Plan for New Zealand's offshore islands that requires vessels traveling to these special marine environments to be free of marine pests.

More information on regional pathway plans

• Top of the North - Northland, Auckland, Waikato & the Bay of Plenty

• Top of the South - Marlborough, Nelson & Tasman

• Fiordland Marine Regional Pathway Management Plan

• Kermadec & Subantarctic Islands Regional Coastal Plan

Additional reading

• Inglis, G. J., Morrisey, D., Woods, C., Sinner, J. and Newton, M. (2013). Managing the domestic spread of harmful marine organisms Part A: operational tools for management. NIWA Client Report No. CH2013-150, Prepared for the Preparedness & Partnerships Directorate, Ministry for Primary Industries NIWA, Christchurch. 160 pp.

• Sinner, J., Forrest, B., Newton, M., Hopkins, G., Inglis, G., Woods, C. and Morrisey, D. (2013). Managing the domestic spread of harmful marine organisms. Part B: Statutory framework and analysis of options. Cawthron Institute Report No. 2442, Prepared for Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Preparedness and Partnerships Directorate. Cawthron Institute, Nelson. 73 pp.

• Hayden, B., Unwin, M., Roulston, H., Peacock, L., Floerl, O., Kospartov, M., Seaward, K. (2009). Domestic movement of vessels within New Zealand. MPI Technical paper No: 2014/04. 263 p. ISBN No: 978-0-478-42360-0 [PDF 10 MB]

• Morrisey, D., Miller, S. (2008). Review of existing information on marine biosecurity in the top of the South Island. MPI Technical paper No: 2009/02. 91 p. ISBN 978-0-478-33860-7 [PDF 2.3 MB]