Biosecurity New Zealand is inviting interested groups and individuals to provide input into a review of the Controlled Area Notices (CANs) that are being used to prevent spread of exotic caulerpa through human activities.
There are currently CANs in place at five locations: Aotea Great Barrier Island, Ahuahu Great Mercury Island, Waiheke Island, Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island and Te Rāwhiti Inlet in the Bay of Islands, Northland. They vary but generally place some restriction on anchoring and fishing as these are high-risk activities for spreading this pest.
All these CANs will expire on 30 September 2025, and Biosecurity New Zealand is seeking feedback on three potential options.
These are:
Option 1 – No CANs and public information encouraging good biosecurity practices
Option 2 – Status quo – CANs for infested areas that meet certain criteria, with varying restrictions
Option 3 – A cross-regional CAN covering the habitable range for exotic caulerpa requiring checking and cleaning anchors and equipment ("Bag It, Bin It"). With this option, there could be stricter controls in specific high-risk zones
You can see details of the current CANs and information about the review at www.biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa-rules
Information Sheet: Detailed information about the review
To provide feedback, use this online form