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Caulerpa at the bottom of the Paroa Bay Sea.
Photo: Charitable Trust / Conquest / Conquest Confidence
The seaweed invader was found in a new place in the Bay of the Islands, causing fears that he could quickly spread through the hubs by boat around Paihia and Russell.
Exotic herb was first discovered in New Zealand in Great Barrier Island in 2021 and raised concerns because she spreads quickly and chokes the whole marine life.
It has now been discovered by divers in Paroa Bay, a few kilometers from Russell, in Bay of the Islands.
Recently, the government spent $ 10 million on new technologies to help combat marijuana, but a local charity said it was necessary to help monitor it and eradicate it.
Verdon Kellier is president of Conquerpa Charitable Trust, which was created to combat invasive marijuana in Northland.
The divers they hired to monitor it recently discovered a new infestation in Paroa Bay.
“It starts 30 meters from the coast, and is quite dense to about 300 meters. It has taken a good position at the bottom of the ocean, varying up to about 15 centimeters,” Kellier said.
Caulerpa at the bottom of the Paroa Bay Sea.
Photo: Charitable Trust / Conquest / Conquest Confidence
If you spread to the bays near Russell and Paihi, that would be bad news, Kellier said.
“This is obviously a main road that passes by. You can imagine that it could easily spread to several other places while the boats that are entering and leaving for many different destinations,” he said.
Trust recently raised $ 50,000 for research work, but hired divers were not cheap, Kellier said.
“They cost us $ 5600 a day, so you can see how long they will last with the money we have and then we dry.”
Caulerpa’s new discovery emphasized the importance of continuous surveillance to find out where the herb spread, he said.
He was also concerned about what would happen after the government’s $ 10 million fund to judge new dredging treatment technology, UV Luz is over.
“What is not known very well by anyone is that, in fact, there is no money to post these judgments to really use them. And there is no guarantee that the government will fund it in its budget for next year.”
Caulerpa at the bottom of the Paroa Bay Sea.
Photo: Charitable Trust / Conquest / Conquest Confidence
Michelle Elboz (Ngati Kuta, Patukeha) is an administrator of Caulerpa Trust and said Caulerpa’s spread has threatened the Maori way of life in the Bay of the Islands.
“The waters here are our basket Kai. That’s where we have a lot of food, fishing, shellfish, everything will disappear.”
Trust expects to raise $ 600,000 to keep divers in the water for six months – which Elboz admitted to it would be difficult but necessary.
“The main point is – if we don’t, what happens? Since Caulerpa has 100 % coverage, too little downstairs.”
Northland Regional Council President Geoff Crawford said that if the community could raise significant funding, it would encourage the government to maintain the end of bargain.
“The government is keeping its cards near the chest. Because since this technology is developed and proven, society’s expectation will go forward and it will eradicate it on the North Island is a very expensive account.
“We could be considering up to $ 100 million, so leveraging society’s support would be a movement in the right direction.”
The advice works with local contractor Johnson Bros to develop the new dredging technology and expects it to have it ready to go in May.
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