MPI provides Clean Vessel Programme update
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Biosecurity New Zealand’s Clean Vessel Programme is coordinating and funding a suite of projects that build from year to year to address key marine biosecurity issues associated with New Zealand’s domestic vessel fleet, and empower vessel owners and groups associated with them with good-quality information and tools.
Following is the status of key projects progressed in the 2025–26 year.
6 or 1 Rule Review
Many marinas and regional councils use a voluntary guideline called the “6 or 1 Rule” – that is, a vessel has been antifouled within the past 6 months, or hauled out and water-blasted within the past 1 month – to assess the vessel’s biosecurity risk before it enters their facility or region.
The opportunity: This project is assessing the efficacy of this guideline in minimising biosecurity risk from biofouling with a view to confirming or adjusting it if needed. (This will take time, so in the meantime we expect the guideline will continue to be used.)
Work this past year: Biosecurity New Zealand commissioned Cawthron Institute to do a review of international literature as well as a round of interviews to draw in the perspectives and experience of New Zealand marina managers who use the guideline. The findings and any recommendations for future work are being reviewed and will be shared.
Level of Fouling Scale Guidance
The Level of Fouling Scale is a tool for visually assessing and rating biofouling on underwater hull surfaces of a vessel that could harbour and consequently spread invasive species. It has existed for at least 20 years, and several councils use it to manage biosecurity risk of vessels.
The opportunity: With increasing trans-regional initiatives that aim to strengthen New Zealand marine biosecurity management, there is a need for better consistency between regions in how the level of fouling (LOF) is assessed.
Work this past year: Biosecurity New Zealand commissioned Cawthron Institute to develop a Level of Foul training package for divers that includes visual guides, instructional videos and practical examples with built-in assessments. This will be rolled out from mid-October 2026.
Biocide-Free Antifouling Research
Antifoul paints containing biocides such as copper and zinc are designed to release chemicals to kill or repel marine life on the undersurfaces of vessels, providing protection over an extended period. There is growing concern that biocides in antifoul paints can pollute sediment and affect non-target species. New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned some biocide ingredients from being used here.
The opportunity: We need to understand the potential of existing and emerging biocide-free antifouling technologies for the New Zealand boating sector.
Work this past year: Biosecurity New Zealand has commissioned a two-year research project for Land Water People to investigate and report on: new biocide-free technology options available in New Zealand, the impediments to uptake of biocide-free technologies – including regulation and capability of boat owners and operators and suppliers of coating application services. A report, including an economic analysis and set of recommendations, is scheduled to be completed by March 2027 (and will likely be finished earlier).
Haul-out and Fleet Demographics
The ability for a boat owner to keep the underwater hull surfaces of their moored vessel clear of marine growth ensures that it will not spread invasive species if moved and is central to minimising marine biosecurity risk associated with biofouling. Boat owners need accessible options for cleaning, including being able to book haul-out facilities for the length and size of their craft.
The opportunity: Building and maintaining a data-set including vessel demographics, maintenance practices, and haul-out and maintenance infrastructure across New Zealand will provide an evidence base for analysis and decision-making, by several parties including councils, industry and boaties. This can interface with the existing Marine Vessel Portal that is used by several councils to store results from hull surveillance work.
Work this past year: Biosecurity New Zealand commissioned WSP to compile existing, published information from government and industry sources as well as boating sector interviews, to create a database of vessel demographics and available haul-out facilities. This has already been used for the cost-benefit analysis for one project proposal. As there is no requirement for any type of licensing or registration in NZ, the next steps will be to gather and refine further categories of information, such as the size and weight of boats, and to build a user interface for the data-set.
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