04 March 2025
Author: Dave Taylor, Technical Director, Aquaculture New Zealand
Biosecurity is a top priority for the aquaculture industry, as farmers have seen first-hand the consequences of marine invasions. Over 250 marine invasive species have established in New Zealand’s waters and while most of these have integrated into coastal ecosystems and reached a natural balance with native fauna and flora, there are some high priority species of concern (e.g. Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) and exotic caulerpa (Caulerpa parvifolia and Caulerpa brachypus). The industry has witnessed the consequences of exotic diseases being introduced into Aotearoa. In some cases, this had catastrophic effects on both wild and farmed populations of oysters, which have been affected by diseases such as Bonamia ostreae and Ostreid herpesvirus.
The aquaculture industry recognises the importance of effective biosecurity management, and works alongside national and regional managers to control potential pathways of spread to new areas.
To manage the biosecurity risks within its control, the aquaculture industry has voluntarily undertaken a journey of continuous improvement in biosecurity practices under the A+ Sustainable Management Frameworks[1]. In many ways, the industry is now considered a leader in New Zealand’s marine biosecurity space, having developed nationally recognised A+ Biosecurity Standards[2] that detail a coordinated, national approach to marine biosecurity risk management for King salmon, mussel, and oyster aquaculture industries.
The A+ Biosecurity Standards guide the formation of ‘Operational Zones’ which span multiple regional council boundaries, encompass regular operational activities of the aquaculture industry, and acknowledge large-scale hydrodynamic connectivity. These Operational Zones largely align with existing regional council initiatives to better coordinate marine biosecurity at appropriate scales (Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership and the Top of the South Marine Biosecurity Partnership[3]). Operational Zones are seen as a realistic and practical scale to develop and implement additional biosecurity risk management measures for industry movements of stock, equipment, and vessels, beyond standard pathway risk management practices.
A+ Biosecurity Standards require the development of comprehensive farm Biosecurity Management Plans (BMP). A+ BMP templates for mussel and oyster farmers are freely available[4] and include a national overview of Regional Pest Management Plan rules, Controlled Area Notices, and known distributions of high-priority pest species.
Under these Standards, the planning rules and Controlled Area Notices guide the formation of smaller-scale ‘Management Areas’ (which sit within the Operational Zones) and include area-specific rules around movements. Management Areas are more dynamic in nature than static Operational Zones because Regional Pest Management Plan rules, Controlled Area Notices, and pest and disease distributions can change over time. The A+ Standards are reviewed through a working group process every two years to ensure they remain up-to-date and follow best-practice for marine biosecurity.
A+ Biosecurity - Operational Zones
[credit photos: Aquaculture New Zealand]
[2] Finalists in the NZ Biosecurity Awards 2022 and 2023
[3] www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz
[4] www.aplusaquaculture.nz/biosecurity#templates
