Overview of Marine Biosecurity Risks from Finfish Aquaculture Development in the Waikato region

TR 2011/22
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Report: TR 2011/22

Author: Cawthron Institute: Barrie Forrest, Grant Hopkins, Steve Webb, Louis Tremblay.

Abstract

Interest in the development of finfish aquaculture in the Firth of Thames and southern Hauraki Gulf has led to the allocation by Waikato Regional Council of c. 390 ha of water space for ‘fed aquaculture’. The primary use of this zone is expected to be the culture of yellow tail kingfish (Seriola lalandi lalandi) and hapuku (groper, Polyprion oxygeneios).

The council contracted the Cawthron Institute to undertake a preliminary desktop assessment of the marine biosecurity issues that could be associated with the culture of these species, to inform decision-making as the industry develops.

 This report presents a broad discussion of biosecurity hazards, in which our definition of biosecurity relates to any marine pest , pathogen or parasite with the potential to adversely affect the uses and values of the Waikato region. Internationally, these groups of biosecurity risk organisms have all been known to cause adverse effects on finfish culture operations or the wider environment.

Overview of Marine Biosecurity Risks from Finfish Aquaculture Development in the Waikato region [PDF, 1.5 MB]