Josh Reich writes in the Nelson Mail about international work including New Zealand researchers which aims to predict and prevent the further invasion of marine pests, in particular some species of sea squirt.
The pests can affect not only boats, but also mussel farms.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“[French Canadian marine biologist Anais Lacoursiere-Roussel] is in New Zealand because, despite the obvious differences in ecosystem, several species of pest are found both here and in Canada.
“She has been talking with boat owners in Nelson, Golden Bay and Waikawa, and looking at the bottom of their vessels with an underwater camera in an attempt to understand boat fouling by marine pests.
“She is also interested in finding out whether there is a pattern based on the type of vessel or how it is used.”