Biofoul Cleaning
What is biofouling? • Biofouling is the accumulation of aquatic organisms (micro-organisms, plants and animals) on surfaces and structures immersed in or exposed to the aquatic environment.
Two types of Biofouling • Microfouling • Macrofouling
What is Microfouling? • Microfouling Refers to a layer of microscopic organisms including bacteria and diatoms and the slimy substances they produce. It is often referred to as a ‘slime layer’ and can be easily removed by gently passing a finger over the surface.
What does Microfouling look like? a layer of microscopic organisms including bacteria and diatoms and the slimy substances they produce. Often referred to as a ‘slime layer’, microfouling can usually be removed by gently passing a finger over the surface.
What is Macrofouling? • Macrofouling refers to large, distinct multicellular organisms visible to the human eye, such as barnacles, tubeworms, mussels, fronds of algae and other large attached or mobile organisms.
What does Macrofouling look like? large, distinct multicellular organisms visible to the human eye, such as barnacles, tubeworms, mussels, fronds of algae and other large attached or mobile organisms.
What is in water cleaning (or biofoul cleaning)? “The physical removal of biofouling and/or anti- fouling coating surface deposits from submerged surfaces. For the purposes of these guidelines, ‘in - water’ refers to the parts of a vessel or movable structure that are either below the load line or normally submerged and/or are coated in anti-fouling coating”
Plan framework
Relevant higher order (statutory) documents New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (2010) - Policy 12: Harmful aquatic organisms Regional Policy Statement - Policy 5: “Maintaining and enhancing coastal water quality for aquatic ecosystem health – regional plans ”
Relevant (non-statutory) higher order documents Anti-fouling and in water cleaning guidelines (2013)
Other Documents Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand (CRMS – Biofoul)
Plan Objectives (relevant to Biofoul Cleaning) There are eight relevant Objectives O3, O4, O5, O18, O23, O24, O25 and O35 to Rule R65. These are: Objective O3 Objective 023 Objective O4 Objective 024 Objective O5 Objective 025 Objective O18 Objective 035
Plan Objectives (relevant to Biofoul Cleaning) Objective O5 Fresh water bodies and the coastal marine area, as a minimum, are managed to: (a) safeguard aquatic ecosystem health and mahinga kai, and provide for contact recreation and Māori customary use, and (b) (c) in the case of fresh water, provide for the health needs of people. Objective O23 The quality of water in the region’s rivers, lakes, natural wetlands, groundwater and the coastal marine area is maintained or improved.
Plan Policies (relevant to Biofoul Cleaning) • There are four relevant policies to Rule 65. These are: Policy P4 Policy P31 Policy P32 Policy P88
Policy P88: Biofoul cleaning • “The discharge of contaminants and biological material to coastal waters from in-water hull cleaning of vessels, moveable structures or navigation aids, particularly those that have a high degree of biofouling, shall be managed to minimise the risk of contaminants and biological material being discharged into coastal water. Note See guidance provided in the Anti-Fouling and In-Water Cleaning Guidelines, June 2013 .”
Policy P88 and Policy P4 • The meaning of minimise within Policy P88 is consistent with the examples of minimisation set out in Policy P4. • I therefore recommend that each of the sub clauses of P4 be added to Policy P88 if the panel is of a mind to amend Policy P4 in this way, as set out in the joint witness statement.
Plan Rules Where submitters have requested amendments • Rule 65: In Water Biofoul cleaning (permitted activity) Where submitters have not requested amendments • Rule 66: In Water Biofoul cleaning (discretionary activity)
Matters that have been agreed on between parties • Activity standard (d) to only consider the removal of macrofouling • That Rule R65 does not manage treatment methods
Key matters that remain in contention • Origin of arrival • Permitted activity standards
Pre-hearing meeting • Pre-hearing meeting is organised for Tuesday 13 February 2018 • Purpose of the pre-hearing meeting is to reach agreement on key matters of contention
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