While Biosecurity New Zealand pieces together a wider picture of sea squirt presence throughout New Zealand, the agency is asking boaties to help with the effort to curb its spread by maintaining good boat hygiene and minimizing the risk of contamination through the movement of vessels from infected areas.

This means:
Keeping your vessel hulls and equipment clean and free of fouling.
Regular cleaning and the use of anti-fouling treatment will greatly help contain the spread of the clubbed tunicate.  The organism prefers a dirty boat to hang onto and if hulls and equipment are clean, the sea squirt is unlikely to be transferred.

Being particularly vigilant if preparing to move your vessel from an infected area to the Marlborough Sounds. Contact Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66 before bringing your vessel to Marlborough. You will need to check your hull before setting sail and if is heavily fouled, clean it where it is.

Likewise, if you are considering purchasing a boat from an area where sea squirt is already present (such as Auckland or Lyttelton) please ensure it is thoroughly inspected and cleaned before bringing it into one of the Marlborough Sounds marinas. 

Keep an eye out for the presence of sea squirt.
Contact your marina supervisor immediately if you think you have seen the species identified.