National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance

The National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance (NMHRSS) is undertaken every six months in 12 of New Zealand's busiest international shipping ports and marinas.

Objectives

The objectives of the NMHRSS are to:

detect incursions of high risk non-native organisms (those listed on the national register of Unwanted Organisms) that are not known to be present in New Zealand.

detect incursions of other non-native or cryptogenic organisms that have not previously been recorded in New Zealand, and

detect range extensions by established non-native or cryptogenic organisms that exhibit characteristics of pests.

High Risk Sites

As the name suggests, the NMHRSS is undertaken in some of New Zealand's busiest ports and marinas of first entry for international vessels. These are the sites where incursions by marine species not currently in New Zealand are most likely to occur. Twelve harbours are included in the programme. Sampling within each harbour is focused on the habitats and locations where the primary target species are most likely to occur.

The 12 locations surveyed by the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance (NMHRSS) every six months. Picton, Havelock and Waikawa are surveyed as a single location. Napier Port and Ahuriri Inner Harbour was added as a high risk site in 2021.

Survey Methods used in the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance

Survey methods used in the NMHRSS have been chosen to optimise detection of the primary high risk species. An important consideration was the efficiency with which samples could be taken in the field since the chances of detection are greatest when a large number of samples can be taken.

National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance

Objectives

High Risk Sites

Survey Methods used in the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance

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