Seven North Island councils representing more than half of New Zealand’s population are calling on the government for more money and support to be thrown at one of the world’s worst invasive marine seaweed pests, recently discovered in the Bay of Islands.
Northland, Whangārei, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato Regional, Hamilton and Tauranga councils are seeking more money and support from the Government to fight the “foot and mouth” of invasive marine seaweeds.
The seven councils form New Zealand’s heavyweight Upper North Island Strategic Alliance – their combined area producing more than half of the country’s GDP.
More than 70 per cent of New Zealand’s marine vessels are found along the alliance’s coastlines.
Northland Regional Council biosecurity working party chair Geoff Crawford says at least $100 million is needed in the first instance towards sorting out the new Bay of Islands discovery.
Mainland caulerpa was first discovered by mana whenua in Omakiwi Cove on May 3 in a mainland New Zealand first.
Ministry for Primary Industries and local mana whenua are days away from the start of banning anchoring and kaimoana gathering around Omākiwi where 16 hectares of the weed has been confirmed in the last week.
Crawford says eradication remains NRC’s main focus when it comes to the pest in the Bay of Islands.
The invasive superspreader seaweed was found in almost 20 per cent of the locations urgently checked by NRC and NIWA divers in the week leading up to a landmark May 31 Te Rawhiti marae Bay of Islands caulerpa hui.
Credit: sunlive.co.nz
