Fiordland marine plan OK’d

Environment Southland has approved a plan to protect the Fiordland marine environment, in what is believed to be a first for New Zealand.

At a meeting at Environment Southland on Tuesday, councillors approved the Fiordland Marine Regional Pathway Management plan, which aims to reduce the risk of marine pests being carried in on local and visiting vessels.

Marine biosecurity officer Shaun Cunningham said the plan incorporates rules for clean vessels, clean gear and residual seawater and will apply to vessels of all sizes entering the area.

The proposed plan went out for public consultation in April 2016 and following public feedback, several changes were made including making the Clean Vessel Pass a mandatory requirement and redefining the area the standards apply to.

The plan will become operational following an appeal period that ends on March 17. During this period only those who have already submitted will be able to lodge an appeal.

When putting the plan together, Environment Southland staff tried to identify the pathways by which marine pests would enter Fiordland, Cunningham said.

To enter the area, boats will need a Fiordland Clean Vessel Pass, which will ensure boat operators are aware of the risks and the ways they can minimise them, he said.

All vessels would have to abide by the standards to receive a pass.

Environment Southland, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries, carry out regular checks of vessels, moorings and structures in Fiordland for marine pests.

The highly invasive Japanese seaweed undaria was discovered in Fiordland waterways in April 2010, Cunningham said.

When it was discovered, Environment Southland initiated a response and it was still trying to eradicate the pest today, he said.

Eradicating the invasive seaweed was an expensive operation, he said.

Fiordland Marine Guardians chairwoman Dr Rebecca McLeod said the plan was a massive step forward for protecting the Fiordland marine environment.

Marine pests were identified as one of the biggest threats to the Fiordland marine area, McLeod said. The plan took a proactive approach to tackling marine pests by putting the responsibility with boat operators to ensure their vessels were clean.

When an invasive species got into an environment, it was nearly impossible to get rid of it without a costly effort, she said.

There was a small amount of traffic entering Fiordland and most of the operators were were well known, however, there had recently been an increase in the number of super yachts coming from anywhere around the world to see the amazing landscapes in Fiordland, she said.

‘‘We settled on a solution for everyone.’’