Breaksea Sound Controlled Area Revoked
Environment Southland has made the decision to remove the Controlled Area in Breaksea Sound, pursuant to section 131(4) of the Biosecurity Act 1993. It is being replaced with rules under the Southland Regional Pest Management Plan.
The 2017 Controlled Area was put in place within Breaksea Sound in Fiordland to reduce the spread of the Asian seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Undaria) to other areas of Fiordland. With the new Regional Pest Management Plan in place, the Controlled Area Notice has now been superseded.
Commencement - this notice takes effect immediately.
New rules to manage Undaria - the Southland Regional Pest Management Plan 2019 (the plan) includes new rules to manage Undaria. Under the plan, it is prohibited to possess, hold, enclose or otherwise harbour Undaria, including having Undaria growing on a vessel’s hull, within the Southland region.
There are two exemption areas where Undaria is already well established - one around Southern Southland including Stewart Island, and another in Breaksea Sound (see map). Owners of vessels must ensure that their hulls and equipment are free of Undaria before they move outside of the exemption area. Specifically:
- vessels must be free of Undaria when they leave the Southern Undaria Exemption Area and the Breaksea Sound Undaria Exemption Area;
- all marine gear and equipment, including but not limited to lobster pots, mooring lines and dive gear, must be free of Undaria when it leaves the Southern Undaria Exemption Area and the Breaksea Sound Undaria Exemption Area;
- all on-board residual seawater collected in the Exemption Area must be treated or discarded within the Southern Undaria Exemption Area and the Breaksea Sound Undaria Exemption Area.
R A Phillips
Chief Executive
2 December 2019
