Boaties may soon be banned from anchoring and enjoying most fishing at a popular cove in the Bay of Islands following the discovery of a highly invasive seaweed that can devastate marine ecosystems.
A controlled area notice, enforced by the Ministry for Primary Industries, is just one option that was discussed at a community meeting in the far north today to prevent the spread of exotic Caulerpa.
It may be the definition of paradise but beneath the surface at Omakiwi Cove in the Bay of Islands, a highly invasive marine invader has taken hold.
"I've been working in marine biosecurity for about 12 years and for me, personally, this is the worst invader that I've seen," NIWA marine ecologist Irene Middleton said.
The culprit is the exotic Caulerpa seaweed. A small 20cm clump of it was found on the shore earlier this month, triggering diving surveillance which has found 18 sites of exotic Caulerpa within the Omakiwi Cove and Albert Channel area.
"Caulerpa species in general form mono-specific stands so they reduce the diversity, like, incredibly in an area, so you go from an area with a bunch of different species to one single species dominating," Middleton said.
Northland regional council deputy chair Jack Craw said the seaweed can't be allowed to spread.
"It would be devastating to the Northland community. Not only in terms of tangata whenua values but we would lose all our scallops," Craw said.
"It would be devastating for tourism, it would be terrible for lots of industries, possibly even the mussel industry, we just don't know."
It was first discovered in New Zealand when it washed up on the shores of Great Barrier Island two years ago and then later at Great Mercury Island.
There are currently four controlled area notices in place around these islands which ban activities such as anchoring and most fishing.
And now the Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating that option for Omakiwi Cove.
"It spreads mainly from attaching to gear in the water so anchors, chains, ropes, fragments or bits of it get hauled in and remain on there, remain alive and then the boat and equipment goes to another area and then can establish in that way," deputy director general Biosecurity New Zealand Stuart Anderson said.
That information was shared with local iwi, hapu business leaders and authorities at a hui on Wednesday at Te Rawhiti Marae.
"Today for me is more about the Ministry for Primary Industries reaching out to mana whenua and getting engagement. This is consultation with mana whenua and this is what never happens and it's happening today," mana whenua lead Martin Cleave said.
Consultation to co-design a plan is going forward with all options for eradication and containment on the table.
