Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Marine Biosecurity: Boat owners are picking up marine biosecurity messages

by Clean Below? Good to Go 1 Dec 2021 20:34 PST 2 December 2021
Thanks to the great ambassadors 83% of respondents said that they are aware of marine biosecurity – at some marinas this was much higher © Auckland Council

How much do Auckland boat owners know about marine biosecurity? And does this translate to improvements in practice? Auckland Council has now released the results of its second annual boat owner survey.

The good news is it shows significant improvement in terms of understanding and uptake of marine biosecurty principles, which translates directly to better protection for our coastal environments.

Over summer, nine well trained and friendly marine outreach ambassadors were stationed at eight marinas and one boat ramp in Auckland. A ‘biosecurity trailer’ also toured the facilities.

While the program is primarily about education, it was also an opportunity for Auckland Council to learn more about boat users’ and public knowledge of marine biosecurity, and the behaviours they engage in.

1,889 individuals were surveyed in total. Some of the survey highlights reported are:

  • 83% of respondents said that they are aware of marine biosecurity. At OBC this was 97% with similar rates at Half Moon Bay, Westhaven and Gulf Harbour.
  • 53% felt they had moderate knowledge and 12% felt they had expert knowledge. This was significantly improved on the year prior when 34% felt they had moderate knowledge. Moored boat owners had particularly high knowledge.
  • 47% of respondents said their marinas kept them informed and contributed to their knowledge. Others attributed their knowledge to theboat show, signage, friends, outreach staff and the internet.
  • Only a small percentage of boat owners clean their boats less than once a year. 46% clean annually, and 29% every six months. Most use haulout facilities. Cost was seen as the biggest barrier to boat cleaning, with around 29% suggesting it was a challenge for them.

What does this mean for marine biosecurity? Senior Marine Biosecurity Advisor Samantha Happy explains:

“Education is our first defence against marine pests. This increase in knowledge means that more boat owners are aware their boats can potentially carry unwanted hitch hikers with them on their travels. This helps protect our islands and special bays, not only within Auckland but further afield too. It’s an indication that the programmes are working.”

Related Articles

Admirals Cup: Splits emerge on Day 2
The 30 boat fleet competing in the 2025 Admirals' Cup have begun to sort themselves into some order The 30 boat fleet competing in the 2025 Admirals' Cup have begun to sort themselves into a top group, which has begun a break away from the peleton. Posted today at 12:03 am
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Starts
Full-throttle Inshore Warfare The opening inshore clash of the 2025 Admiral's Cup was a gritty, high-octane showdown packed with drama and razor-sharp tactics. Posted on 22 Jul
(More than) A Day at the Races
The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor The UK is the place to be right now if you're a sailor, and I don't think I've ever known a time when so many great events are happening concurrently. Posted on 22 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 5
Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X Pierre Mortefon storms to victory in Slalom X, while Matteo Iachino and Maciek Rutkowski complete the podium. Freestyle kicks off on Wednesday. Posted on 22 Jul
Were the Roos Robbed in Portsmouth?
We discuss the Race 6 Penalty with SailGP's Chief Umpire Craig Mitchell The high speed, short course action of SailGP is thrilling to watch, but inevitably causes tight situations and means the Umpires have to react quickly to decide who is right and who is wrong. Posted on 22 Jul
Admiral's Cup David Maynard Tuesday Photo Gallery
The first inshore races were sailed in typical Solent conditions Tuesday saw the first inshore races of the 2025 Admiral's Cup, which were sailed in typical Solent conditions, with 15 to 20 knots of South Westerly wind. Two races were held, a short and a long inshore race, using channel markers for rounding. Posted on 22 Jul
Performance Meets Savings For a Limited Time
Order new North Sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing Out with the old, in with performance. Order new sails before July 31st to secure Trade In Trade Up preferred pricing. Posted on 22 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 4
Sarah-Quita Offringa secures incredible 26th world title Sarah-Quita Offringa secures incredible 26th world title, while Pierre Mortefon is on verge of winning men's after claiming back-to-back bullets. Posted on 22 Jul
Transat Café L'or calling for next destinatation
After Cartagena, Salvador de Bahia, Puerto Limon, Itajaí, and Fort-de-France After Cartagena, Salvador de Bahia, Puerto Limon, Itajaí, and Fort-de-France, the TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie is now calling for applications to find a destination partner for the next editions, starting from the fall of 2027. Posted on 22 Jul
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignPredictWind - Routing 728x90 BOTTOM