Cancel your Great Barrier plans this Summer

[Zozza 334]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/trouble-in-paradise-why-some-want-this-holiday-hot-spot-off-limits-to-boaties-this-summer/OROPQEAN7VDEDK5T74H3R3XKJE/

[harrytom 683]

Close the Mercs too. Bugger it, just close the gulf and ban tidal currents/easterly winds. If they did something 5 yrs ago might of helped rather than sit on ones hands.

[Zozza 334]

1 hour ago, harrytom said:

Close the Mercs too. Bugger it, just close the gulf and ban tidal currents/easterly winds. If they did something 5 yrs ago might of helped rather than sit on ones hands.

In the article they more or less acknowledge it was the big ships that caused the issue, yet they want to penalise boaties and yachites when the horse has clearly bolted.

And you are right Harry, and in fact, they could close the Hauraki Gulf for a decade and the natural currents and wind changes would still embed the weed.  It is a waste of time trying to fight it - I know what I am saying has been said before, but you just shake your head at some of the idiots out there that call for this banning thing.

[Addem 120]

Do we know yet how anchors will set In it?  It may well end up self policing ie won't go there if anchor won't hold. 

[waikiore 454]

In two years you will all laugh, its here get over it , people are going to the barrier all year not just at Christmas  

[Waa1066 5]

The response by NSW agencies -
 

What is DPI doing?

After 15 years of published research and scientific observations in NSW, the behaviour of Caulerpa in the NSW environment is now better understood and we are changing the way we manage it.

We believe our efforts will be more effective if we focus on preventing the spread of Caulerpa to unaffected estuaries, rather than on activities that have little effect on established populations.

Large outbreaks of Caulerpa are almost impossible to eradicate, require extensive resources and cannot guarantee that Caulerpa will not reoccur so control activities will generally no longer be supported by DPI, unless in exceptional circumstances in a newly affected estuary.

We encourage people to “Make clean part of your routine” by checking for Caulerpa when fishing and boating and safely disposing of it. Fishers and boaters will be required to clean their gear and equipment before leaving affected estuaries to minimise the risk of further spread.

[Waa1066 5]

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/aquatic-biosecurity/pests-diseases/marine-pests/seaweed/caulerpa-taxifolia

[Waa1066 5]

Yep - agreed it’s about a different variant, but the realisation that eradication isn’t feasible and a “sensible” approach to containment is what I found interesting - how long will we as boaters put up with blanket anchoring/fishing bans ? 

[ex Elly 229]

On the plus side, that is the best article I have read on what is happening with Caulerpa. Well done, the Herald!

 

[waikiore 454]

A pity the Herald cant spell Sanfords in the headline on that company, Editor where ???

[ex Elly 229]

Caulerpa's spread has some Aotea Great Barrier locals throwing in the towel

Some residents want the island closed entirely to visiting boaties while others say the battle is already lost and restrictions are pointless.

But with the seaweed continuing to spread and the restrictions - known as Controlled Area Notices, or CANs - due to expire at the end of the month, islanders and biosecurity officials have little time to decide their next steps.

A more likely path, depending on the outcome of this week's hui, is to renew and possibly expand the CANs currently in force at Okupu Bay, Tryphena Harbour and Whangaparapara Harbour.

It is believed the green menace is primarily spread by anchors. In suitable conditions a piece of seaweed the size of a pinhead can grow to the size of a football field in just three weeks.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/502864/caulerpa-s-spread-has-some-aotea-great-barrier-locals-throwing-in-the-towel

 

[Terry B 73]

Cruise ship rejected entrance to NZ waters due to Bio risk.

Second part of story is interesting...............

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/301015149/passengers-furious-after-cruise-rejected-at-new-zealand-border

[harrytom 683]

1 hour ago, Terry B said:

Cruise ship rejected entrance to NZ waters due to Bio risk.

Second part of story is interesting...............

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/301015149/passengers-furious-after-cruise-rejected-at-new-zealand-border

How many other ships are in port without being checked?? Came on the news on friday that Pilot Bay Tauranga ,fan worm has been found

[Frank 157]

2 hours ago, harrytom said:

How many other ships are in port without being checked?? Came on the news on friday that Pilot Bay Tauranga ,fan worm has been found

Well the Pacific Adventure certainly did not get checked 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/301015149/passengers-furious-after-cruise-rejected-at-new-zealand-border

Apparently the cruise was a Turd covered in Gold Glitter according to one punter 

[Island Time 1,286]

new restrictions today, as the old notices expire...https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/exotic-pests-and-diseases-in-new-zealand/pests-and-diseases-under-response/exotic-caulerpa-seaweeds-caulerpa-brachypus-and-caulerpa-parvifolia-in-new-zealand/#maps-upper-north-island  

[CarpeDiem 512]

Gutted. Was hoping to get to Port Fitzroy for our first time this summer.

 

Edit:

) Port Fitzroy Permit Exempt Anchoring Zone: means the area contained 
within the marine waters of Port Fitzroy, east of a line between Kotuku Point 
and Mt. Overlook headland of Kaikōura Island /Selwyn Island, and east of a 
line between the Man of War Passage and Governor Pass.

Where is that? 

[K4309 370]

Oh well, I was already in a grumpy mood today.

Port Abercrombie is going to get a hiding isn't it?

[waikiore 454]

Last one to Nagles Cove gets a cold and dirty swim 😆

[K4309 370]

STOP THE PRESS!!!!!!

You can still anchor in Fitzroy AND, You can still go fishing, spearfishing and a bunch of other stuff.

When is a CAN not a CAN?

Exotic Caulerpa Aotea and Ahuahu Controlled Area Notice 2023 (mpi.govt.nz)

6 Notice of controls for Great Barrier Island Zone (Zone A) For the purposes of the controls imposed below, Zone A is referred to as “the Great Barrier Island Zone”.

(1) No person may remove any sea organisms (such as fish, seaweed, crayfish, or shellfish) from the Great Barrier Island Zone except by the following methods:

(a) Line fishing from the shore. Line fishing includes rod and line and handline fishing from the shore or structure fixed to the shore such as a jetty, pier, or wharf;

(b) Drift fishing from a vessel (e.g., boat, kayak, etc.);

(c) Spearfishing and hand-gathering;

(d) Shore based longlining (e.g., kontiki or drone). For avoidance of doubt, no person may use the following methods to remove sea organisms (such as fish, seaweed, crayfish, or shellfish) from the Great Barrier Island Zone: net fishing (i.e., flounder net), and bottom contact fishing methods (i.e., dredging, bottom trawling, etc).

(2) No person may move any of the following items out of the Great Barrier Island Zone without complying with the cleaning directions in clause 8(1): (a) Any equipment used for fishing or other water-based activities (including, but not limited to, diving, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkelling, free diving, and paddling) including footwear, wetsuits, diving equipment, and boat-trailers and associated vehicles and craft. (3) Subject to clause 6(4) and 6(5), no craft (such as boats) may enter and then anchor within the Great Barrier Island Zone without first being granted a permit. (4) A person does not require a permit under clause 6(3) in the event of an emergency where no other alternative safe sheltering locations or mooring can be easily acquired.

(5) A person does not require a permit under clause 6(3) within the following area: (a) Port Fitzroy Permit Exempt Anchoring Zone: means the area contained within the marine waters of Port Fitzroy, east of a line between Kotuku Point and Mt. Overlook headland of Kaikōura Island /Selwyn Island, and east of a line between the Man of War Passage and Governor Pass

[K4309 370]

Basically the only change is that netting, trawling and dredging is banned.

But with any luck the average punter will be too thick to read the rules, everyone will think Barrier is closed, and I will get the place to myself.