Whauwhau mussel spat farm - Biosecurity Management Plan - Waikato Regional Council
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Whauwhau mussel spat farm Biosecurity Management Plan Carina Sim-Smith February 2020 Prepared for Ohinau Aquaculture Ltd Report Number: 2020-002 Disclaimer This report has been prepared based on the information described to Coast and Catchment Ltd by the client and its extent is limited to the scope of work agreed between these two parties. No responsibility is accepted by Coast and Catchment Ltd or its directors, servants, agents, staff or employees for the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and/or for the use of any part of this report for purposes beyond those described in the scope of work. The information in this report is intended for use by the client and no responsibility is accepted for its use by other parties. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7
Contents 1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 4 2 MARINE PESTS AND DISEASES OF CONCERN .................................................................................. 5 3. Biosecurity Management Plan ........................................................................................................ 6 3.1. Stock health management ...................................................................................................... 6 3.1. Stock movements and containment ....................................................................................... 7 3.2. Equipment and vessels ........................................................................................................... 7 3.1. Staff training and education ................................................................................................... 9 3.1. Marine pest monitoring & management .............................................................................. 10 3.2. Record keeping ..................................................................................................................... 11 3.3. Reporting............................................................................................................................... 12 3.4. Emergency procedures ......................................................................................................... 14 3.5. BMP review and auditing ...................................................................................................... 14 4 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 16 5 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................. 17 ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 3
1 BACKGROUND The location of Ohinau Aquaculture’s proposed mussel spat farm in Whauwhau is currently thought to be free of unwanted marine organisms and pest species, some of which are present in western Coromandel and the Hauraki Gulf. The aim of this Biosecurity Management Plan (BMP) is to reduce minimise the risk of introducing, exacerbating and spreading unwanted marine organisms and disease as much as practicable possible. Development of this BMP has taken into consideration best practice biosecurity recommendations (Georgiades et al., 2016), the A+ Sustainable Management Framework for New Zealand mussels (AQNZ, 2015), and proposed resource consent conditions for the spat farm. Compulsory requirements of the BMP are written in black, whereas recommended practices to provide additional information to improve biosecurity understanding or to increase farm productivity are written in blue. Biosecurity best practice management is constantly evolving, and therefore, this BMP shall be reviewed and updated as necessary every two years. Commented [CA1]: See comments further below Figure 1. Location of the proposed spat farm (red boxes) in the Mercury Bay region. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 4
2 MARINE PESTS AND DISEASES OF CONCERN Marine pests and diseases of concern fall into three categories: 1. Notifiable organisms—organisms whose presence shall be immediately reported to Biosecurity NZ under the Biosecurity Act 1993. 2. Unwanted organisms—organisms that are prohibited to be sold, propagated, communicated, released or spread under the Biosecurity Act 1993. 3. Other pests of concern, which may be controlled by Pest Management Plans in certain regions. Most of the notifiable marine organisms are not currently present in New Zealand, with the exception of the Mediterranean fan worm (Sabella spallanzanii). Effective passive surveillance by marine farmers can provide an early warning of the arrival of new pest species. Brief descriptions of pest species that could potentially occur around the spat farm are given in Table 1 to Table 3. None of these species are currently known to be present in the Mercury Bay Region, though wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) has been found in Port Charles and Kennedy Bay (James & Shears, 2013). More information on these species can be found at https://marinebiosecurity.org.nz/what-are-marine- pests/ and www.marinepests.nz. There are no notifiable diseases or known serious diseases for mussel spat. However, new diseases may emerge. Mussel samples should be collected and sent for disease investigation by a fish pathology laboratory in the case of any unusual and unexplained mortality events. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 5
Table 1. Marine pests designated as notifiable and unwanted organisms under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Scientific name Common name Image Habitat Known distribution Asterias amurensis Northern Pacific Soft sediment, rocks, artificial structures Not present in NZ seastar in sheltered waters. Has been found on mussel lines overseas. Carcinus maenas European shore Intertidal estuaries to open ocean. Not present in NZ crab Caulerpa taxifolia Aquarium Estuaries, harbours and sheltered Not present in NZ Caulerpa coastal waters down to 35 m. Eriocheir sinensis Chinese mitten Fresh and brackish waters. Not present in NZ crab ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 1
Scientific name Common name Image Habitat Known distribution Haliotis rufescens Red abalone Rocky habitats in intertidal and shallow Not present in NZ subtidal. Penaeus chinesis1 Chinese prawn Benthic, brackish waters. Not present in NZ Potamocorbula Asian clam Intertidal and shallow subtidal soft Not present in NZ amurensis sediments. Sabella spallanzanii Mediterranean Artificial structures, marine farms, rocky Throughout much of NZ including the fan worm reefs, shells and soft sediments in Hauraki Gulf, western Coromandel waters down to around 35 m. and Tauranga. Not known to be present in the Mercury Bay region. (Photos from www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz, https://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/image/956/asterias-amurensis-northern-pacific-seastar/, www.aquariumofpacific.org. www. personal.cityu.edu.hk) 1 Previously called Penaeus orientalis ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 2
Table 2. Marine pests designated as unwanted organisms under the Biosecurity Act. Scientific name Common name Image Habitat Known distribution Styela clava Clubbed tunicate Soft sediment, shells, rocky reefs, Throughout much of NZ including artificial structures. Auckland, western Coromandel and Tauranga. Not known to be present in the Mercury Bay region. Undaria Wakame Artificial structures, marine farms, rocky Throughout much of NZ including the pinnatifida reefs. Hauraki Gulf, west and north Coromandel and Tauranga. Not known to be present in the Mercury Bay region. (Photos from www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz) ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 3
Table 3. Other marine pests identified by Biosecurity NZ and The Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership 2 as species of concern. Species in red are under a sustained control programme in the Northland Regional Council’s Pest Management Plan3. No marine species are listed in Waikato’s Regional Pest Management Plan. Scientific name Common name Image Habitat Known distribution Arcuatula senhousia Asian date mussel Typically soft sediment, but Northland, Auckland and have been found on hard Tauranga. Not known to be surfaces. Forms dense mats present in the Mercury Bay of mussels and byssal region. threads. Charybdis japonica Asian paddle crab Intertidal to subtidal, Northland, Auckland, estuarine. Soft sediment Tauranga, Firth of Thames and rocky reefs. and Whangapoua Harbour. Not known to be present in the Mercury Bay region. Eudistoma elongatum Australian droplet tunicate Soft sediment, artificial Northland and Auckland. structures, typically Not known to be present in intertidal. Dies off in winter. Coromandel. 2 A partnership between Auckland Council, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Northland Regional Councils (www.marinepests.nz). Field Code Changed 3 It is prohibited to sell, propagate, distribute or spread species listed in a Pest Management Plan under the Biosecurity Act 1993. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 4
Scientific name Common name Image Habitat Known distribution Oratosquilla oratoria Japanese mantis shrimp Soft sediment Northland and Kaipara Harbour. Pyura praepetualis and P. Pyura sea squirt Rocky reefs and artificial Northland. doppelgangera4 structures in the intertidal to shallow subtidal. Prefers exposed locations. (Photos from www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz, https://consult-nrc.objective.com/portal/biosecurity/rpmp/rpmp?pointId=s1507076856958) 4 Previously called Pyura stolonifera praeputialis ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 5
3. Biosecurity Management Plan 3.1. Stock health management Commented [AH|GW2]: NB. Sub-numbering in this section needs updating throughout when BMP is finalised 5 Objective Rationale Procedures To monitor the health status of The percent mortality of spat provides an indication Deployed spat dropper ropes on the spat farm shall be mussel spat. whether spat are in good condition or affected by disease inspected fortnightly6 and the density, average spat size or stress. Spat that are in poor condition are less likely to and percentage of dead, attached spat shall be measured survive the transfer process. from subsamples and recorded. Monitoring of the health status of mussels, post-transfer, Spat should be inspected monthly for the first 3 months will provide information on the survival of spat, which following transfer to an on-growing farm, and then may be linked to environmental conditions, time of year, quarterly thereafter, and the density, average size and or spat health. percentage of dead attached mussels should be measured from subsamples and recorded. Unusually high mortality may be an indication of disease. Spat samples should be sent to a fish pathology laboratory for disease testing if mortality rates are unusually high7. Temperature affects mussel’s growth rate and stress Water temperature at the site shall be measured levels. Recording of temperature along with mortality fortnightly when spat ropes are in the water. rates may provide information on optimum temperatures for spat growth and survival. Monitoring of environmental conditions and spat Spat should not be transferred during stressful mortality may provide information on the range of environmental conditions e.g., high temperatures or conditions spat can tolerate. following extended periods of heavy rainfall. 5 Compulsory procedures are written in black, recommended procedures are written in blue. 6 Weather and safety permitting. 7 Currently, there is insufficient information on typical spat mortality rates for wild caught spat to be able to provide a figure for ‘normal’ mortality rates. Information gathered through the monitoring of spat mortality under this BMP will provide us with a better understanding of spat mortality. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 6
3.1. Stock movements and containment Objective Rationale Procedures To manage the risk of pest or To prevent pests or pathogens from being introduced No stock shall be moved onto the spat farm. pathogen transfer via stock onto the spat farm via stock. movements. To minimise the chance of transferring spat that are Spat should not be transferred to other farms if mortality infected with disease. is unusually high until either: • disease testing shows that mussels are cleared of pathogens; or, • the mortality percentage has returned to normal levels for at least two weeks. 3.2. Equipment and vessels Objective Rationale Procedures To manage the risk of equipment To prevent pest species growing on the hulls of farm Vessel hulls (including propellers, niche areas and other or vessels transmitting pests or vessels. areas that retain water) shall be inspected regularly every disease onto the farm. 6-12 months and cleaned if required, as per MPI guidance and New Zealand’s in-water cleaning guidelines8,9. The hulls and underwater surfaces of the vessels shall be antifouled at least every two yearsevery 12 months for Commented [CS3]: may change to one year as per WRC review. biocidal anti-fouling coatings or every 24 months for Commented [CA4]: Consent condition should provide for the biocide-free coatings as per New Zealand’s in-water same cleaning guidelines8. To prevent pests and pathogens from being transferred to All equipment used on the farm shall be: the farm via equipment. 1. new; or, 8 https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/animal-plant/pests-diseases/marine-pests/antifouling-consultation/antifouling-guidelines.pdf Field Code Changed 9 Ministry for Primary Industries (2019). New Zealand Marine Pest ID Guide. Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington. 32pp ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 7
Objective Rationale Procedures 2. cleaned of all attached biofouling material and then disinfected with: 2% bleach in freshwater for 30 mins; or, 2% Decon 90 detergent in freshwater for 30 mins; or, 4% acetic acid in freshwater for 10 mins; or; a suitable disinfectant10 following the manufacturer’s instructions; or, 3. left to dry on land for at least one month. To reduce the chance of transferring viable pest Vessel hulls (including propellers, niche areas and other fragments amongst sites via the vessel deck and areas that retain water) The deck and machinery machineryhulls, niche areas and equipment. equipment of all harvesting vessels shall be inspected and cleaned (thoroughly washed downas per the cleaning specifications described within this management plan) following the handling of mussel lines on board the vessel, prior to that vessel leaving another farm site and Commented [AH|GW5]: NB. Would add “and leaving the spat visiting the spat farmmoving to a new locationarriving or farm” in the future if a pest species were to become established in MB. leaving the farm site11. Commented [JB6R5]: Disagree. Equipment needs to be To reduce the chance of transferring microscopic pests or Any contained spaces that retain deck water shall be checked and cleaned before moving between sites as per MPI guidance. pathogens amongst sites via retained water on the vessel. drained prior to a vessel moving to a new location11.leaving another farm site and visiting the spat farm Commented [AH|GW7]: NB. Would add “and leaving the spat farm” in the future if a pest species were to become established in To reduce the chance of transferring pests or pathogens via All dive equipment used in the spat farm that is used in MB. dive gear that is used at multiple farm sites. other farms should be: Commented [JB8R7]: As per comment above 1. Cleaned and rinsed with fresh water; 10 Suggested disinfectants include monosulfate solutions e.g., Virkon-STM, povidone-iodine solutions, chloramine-T solutions. 11 As recommended by Ministry for Primary Industries (2019). New Zealand Marine Pest ID Guide. Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington. 32pp ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 8
Objective Rationale Procedures 2. Disinfected with a suitable disinfectant109 following the manufacturer’s instructions; and 3. Rinsed and dried (for a period of >48 hours) prior to that equipment being used at the spat farm. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 9
3.1. Staff training and education Objective Rationale Procedures To ensure all farm staff To ensure farm biosecurity measures and the BMP are The spat farm shall have a nominated staff member who understand the importance of properly implemented. is responsible for oversight of farm biosecurity and farm biosecurity and their implementing the BMP. The nominated staff member responsibilities to maintaining should shall have knowledge and understanding about farm biosecurity. marine biosecurity. Farm staff are the most likely to provide an early warning All farm staff shall be trained in biosecurity awareness of a biosecurity issue. Implementation of good farm and management. Training shall be conducted by Commented [CA9]: How often? Should be compulsory for new biosecurity practices requires all staff to participate. Staff someone who has knowledge and understanding about staff, then regular refresher. that understand the importance of biosecurity are more marine biosecurity and is to cover: likely to implement good biosecurity practices. • the importance of biosecurity and the consequences of pest or disease outbreaks; • major routes of pest and disease transmission on/off the farm; • signs of ill health or poor condition in mussels; • pest species to look out for and monitoring requirements; • their responsibilities under the BMP and standard operating procedures required by the BMP; • reporting and emergency response procedures if a disease outbreak or pest species is found or suspected on the farm. To assist farm staff with pest identification. All farm vessels shall have Biosecurity NZ’s Marine pest ID guide on board to assist with pest identification, collection and reporting (available from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/10478/direct). ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 10
3.1. Marine pest monitoring & management Objective Rationale Procedures To provide an early warning An early warning of the arrival of new pest species All farm staff shall be on the look-out for pest species system for the arrival of new provides a better chancge of eradication. identified in Section 2, and any new or unusual species pests, and to manage the during normal farm activities (passive surveillance). population of biofouling species that are present in the area. To provide an early warning of the arrival of new pest Farm staff shall examine the spat droppers and backbone species and to monitor their abundance on the dropper ropes for the presence of marine pest species identified in ropes. Section 2 at least monthly. The presence/absence and abundance (rare, occasional, common, abundant) of pest species shall be recorded. To assist staff with the collection and reporting of any All farm vessels shall have suitable sample containers on new or suspected pest species. board to collect any new, unusual or pest specimens, and instructions on how to collect samples, information to record, and reporting procedures. To monitor the presence of any pest species that may be A biosecurity monitoring survey for pest species identified growing in the consented area that are not visible from in Section 2 present on the spat farm structures and the the surface. seabed in the consented area shall be conducted by a suitably qualified and experienced person(s): • a year after the first installation of the long-line structures; and, • every three years, thereafter; and/or • immediately following the recorded presence of a new marine pest species on spat droppers and/or backbone ropes. The three yearly surveys shall be conducted at a similar time in the year. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 11
Objective Rationale Procedures To prevent the spread of unwanted organisms as required Any unwanted organisms growing on dropper ropes on by the Biosecurity Act 1993. the spat farm or on the spat farm structures shall be Commented [CA10]: Consent holder responsibilities and removed, contained and disposed of in an appropriate required management in respect to a new pest incursion are unclear. If responsibilities and management actions (e.g. pest land-based facility at the earliest time practicable removal requirement) are dependent on species and/or degree of following MPI notification. infestation and/or legislation dependent, then responsibilities and appropriate management should be clearly set out in the To reduce the reproductive pest population on the farm. If pest species are present on the farm, the following management plan and/or reviewed as part of a management plan review & updated at the time a new incursion is observed. management actions are recommended every 3 months: • buoys on the farm should be rotated to expose the submerged surface to the air to kill the biofouling growth on the underside; • biofouling should be stripped from the backbone lines and any unwanted organisms removed, contained and disposed of in an appropriate land- based facility. 3.2. Record keeping Objective Rationale Procedures To record all information To record information that may provide a better Records shall be kept of: necessary to support good understanding of the factors that affect spat health and • all stock transfers off the spat farm (date, biosecurity practice. survival, and information required in the case of a quantity, destination); biosecurity emergency. • stock health from settlement to transfer off the farm (inspection dates, average mussel spat size; density, growth rate, and any health issues or mortality); • environmental conditions when spat ropes are in the water (water temperature, date and duration of heavy rain events (> 8 mm/hr), observations of algal blooms); ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 12
• equipment transfers onto the spat farm (date, equipment, origin) and cleaning/disinfection/ drying process(es) conducted; • results of any disease testing conducted; • results of pest monitoring (date, organisms present, abundance); and • vessel hull cleaning and anti-fouling dates. To record information that may provide a better Records should also continue to be kept of stock health understanding of the factors that affect mussel health from transfer off the spat farm to harvest (inspection and survival, and information required in the case of a dates, average mussel size, density, growth rate, and any biosecurity emergency. health issues or mortality). 3.3. Reporting Objective Rationale Procedures To inform authorities and allow To allow timely management actions in response to Farm staff shall immediately report the following to the timely management actions to be potential biosecurity issues to be taken by farm person in charge of farm biosecurity: taken by the authorities management. • the presence, or suspected presence, of a notifiable or regarding pest or disease unwanted organism or other marine pest on the farm outbreaks. or farm vessels; • any unusually high mortality. To allow timely management actions of potential All notifiable organisms12 found on the farm shall be biosecurity issues to be taken by the authorities. A legal immediately reported to Biosecurity NZ (0800 80 99 66). requirement under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Photos of the organisms and samples should be collected if possible, and the observation date and abundance recorded. 12 A full list of notifiable organism can be found at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/6403-biosecurity-notifiable-organisms-order-2016 Field Code Changed ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 13
To assure WRC that the biosecurity consent conditions An annual report shall be provided to WRC each year are being carried out, and to provide WRC with (with the first report provided 12 months after the information on pest species and abundance. installation of the first structures at the spat farm). That Commented [AH|GW11]: NB. Christin, we propose that this report should contain details about: would be provided as part of the Annual Operational Report. Commented [CA12R11]: I support this. • equipment transfers onto the spat farm (date, equipment, origin) and cleaning/disinfection/drying process(es) conducted; • results of pest monitoring and management by farm staff (date, organisms present, abundance) including expert comment on whether management practices require changes if pests have been recorded; • vessel cleaning and antifouling dates including type of antifoulant used To assure WRC that the biosecurity consent conditions A biosecurity monitoring report in relation to each are being carried out, and to provide WRC with biosecurity survey shall be provided to WRC within two information on pest species and abundance. months of the date of sampling. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 14
3.4. Emergency procedures Objective Rationale Procedures To ensure emergency procedures To prevent the spread of a notifiable organism. Required No spat shall be transferred off the farm if a notifiable are developed and understood to by the Biosecurity Act 1993. organism is found on the farm until Biosecurity New minimise the impact of Zealand has been notified and has advised the farm emergency biosecurity incidents. owner about any emergency biosecurity measures required. To prevent the spread of mussels that are infected with a If disease testing shows that spat mortality is caused by a pathogen. pathogen, then all spat ropes on the farm should be removed to land and the ropes cleaned and disinfected as per the protocols outlined within this management plan. All biological material should be collected, contained and disposed of in an appropriate land-based facility. Commented [CA13]: This should be compulsory To prevent the spread of harmful algae with mussel spat. No spat should be transferred off the farm if harmful algal concentrations exceed harvest closure levels in the spat farm, but not in the destination farm. Commented [CA14]: This should be compulsory 3.5. BMP review and auditing Objective Rationale Procedures To ensure the farm BMP To allow the BMP to be updated to follow best practice The BMP shall be reviewed by a suitably qualified and continues to address biosecurity management and to incorporate any new biosecurity experienced person once every two years. Updated Commented [CA15]: BMP review should be in accordance with risks effectively and efficiently. information. BMPs shall be sent to WRC for written approval in a consent conditions. If a new pest species has been detected, the plan should be reviewed immediately and updated with pest technical certification capacity. removal/management actions if appropriate / necessary. As per my previous comment: Consent holder responsibilities and required To check that the BMP is being implemented correctly, to The review of the BMP should include discussions management in respect to a new pest incursion are unclear. If identify any operational deficiencies, and to discuss between the reviewer and farm staff and the owner responsibilities and management actions (e.g. pest removal requirement) are dependent on species and/or degree of infestation potential improvements to the BMP. about implementation of the BMP. and/or legislation, then responsibilities and appropriate management should be reviewed as part of a management plan review & updated at the time a new incursion is observed. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 15
ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 16
4 REFERENCES AQNZ (2015). A+ New Zealand. Sustainable management framework. New Zealand mussels. Aquaculture New Zealand, Nelson, New Zealand. 113 pp. Available from https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55d2b0eee4b0649ae7068665/t/55f7d6afe4b05cc86891dd9f /1442305711334/Greenshell+Mussel+SMF+July+2015+10-9-15.pdf Georgiades, E.; Fraser, R.; Jones, B. (2016). Options to strengthen on-farm biosecurity management for commercial and non-commercial aquaculture. MPI Technical Paper no. 2016/47. Aquaculture Unit, Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington, New Zealand. 353 pp. James, K.; Shears, N. (2013). Spatial distribution and seasonal variation in Undaria pinnatifida populations around the Coromandel Peninsula. WRC Technical Report 2013/15. Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton, New Zealand. 40 pp. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 17
5 APPENDICES Table 4. Record sheet example for pest monitoring. Date Monitoring carried out by: Pest species present Y/N Abundance* (Rare, Occasional, Common, Abundant) Mediterranean fan worm (Sabella) Clubbed tunicate (Styela) Australian droplet tunicate (Eudistoma) Wakame (Undaria) Asian paddle crab (Charybdis) Asian date mussel (Arcuatula) Any other notifiable, new or unusual species observed (Y/N)? If so: Photograph taken? Specimen collected? Reported to farm owner/manager? Reported to Biosecurity NZ? Notes about new species: * Rare: 20 m apart on the dropper ropes; Common: single pests are spaced 5–20 m apart on the rope; Abundant: single pests are spaced less than 5 m apart. ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 18
Table 5. Record sheet example for spat health monitoring Date lines went in the water: Inspection date: Inspection carried out by: Water temperature Any heavy rain in the past week? Any sign of algal blooms? Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Average spat size Spat density % of dead shells Notes: Table 6. Record sheet example for stock transfers Date lines went in the water Date lines were removed from water Destination farm Number of metres transferred Notes ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 19
Table 7. Record sheet example for equipment treatment and transfer. Date equipment put on spat farm Type of equipment Equipment treatment (tick one): ✓ 1. New 2. Cleaned and dried Date equipment was removed from water 3. Cleaned and disinfected Date of disinfection Disinfection used ALH-395890-2-4229-V7 20
You can also read