MAF and NIWA have launched a new web portal that offers a previously unseen record of the marine pests that have been recorded in New Zealand waters.
The Marine Biosecurity Porthole houses data from the MAF-funded marine surveillance programmes, NIWA’s Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service (that identifies marine specimens) and other verified observations.
Those of you with an interest in protecting our marine environment will now be able to access the most current information on what has been recorded in New Zealand waters and where those pest species have been detected.
The web site holds the wealth of information collected through over 10 years of MAF-funded, NIWA-run surveys in ports and marinas around the country.
Since 2001, NIWA and other research providers have completed 43 baseline surveys of ports and marinas throughout New Zealand where vessels enter from overseas as part of MAF’s marine surveillance programme. These surveys provided information about both indigenous and non-indigenous species present in those locations.
In addition, NIWA surveys high-risk locations twice-yearly for key unwanted pests. This work is funded on an ongoing basis as a part of MAF’s surveillance programme.
The portal features a web-mapping application that allows users to view sites surveyed around New Zealand and distribution records for individual species.
It also gives access to information on significant marine pests and a metadata catalogue allowing search and download of information and reports.
MAF and NIWA are pleased this important information is now so accessible to people who need and will use it. We see this as an on-going project that will incorporate new data and information as it becomes available.
Click here to visit The Marine Biosecurity Porthole