Craft Risk Management Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vessels  
CRMS Vessels  
[Document Date]  
 
 
 
 
 
Excludes biosecurity risks managed by : 
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments  
Please refer to this document for further details.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 21 TITLE  
Craft Risk Management Standard : Vessels  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Craft Risk Management Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date] .  
 
Guidance for Consultation  
• Clauses 1.4(5)(d) and Schedules 2 and 3 will have a lead in period of 1 year from the issue date.  
• All other requirements will have a lead in period of 6 months from the issue date.  
• Operators may begin to follow the new requirements at any time following the issue date, however 
these will not be enforced until the lead in periods end.  
 
REVOCATION  
This Craft Risk Management Standard revokes and replaces the Cra ft Risk Management Standard: Vessels , 
issued on 16 October 2018 , and C raft Risk Management Standard: Biofouling , issued on 15 November 2018 .  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Craft Risk Management Standard  is issued  by the Director -General under section 24G of the Biosecurity 
Act 1993 .  
 
Dated at Wellington this  
 
 
 
Peter Thomson  
Director, Animal and Plant Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority o f the Director -General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Animal and Plant Health Directorate  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: standards@mpi.govt.nz   
 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 21   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  3 of 21 Contents  Page 
Introduction  4 
Part 1:  General requirements  7 
1.1 Application  7 
1.2 Definitions  7 
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  7 
1.4 Required information  7 
1.5 Risk management  9 
Part 2:  Specific requirements  11 
2.1 Short -stay vessels  11 
2.2 Long -stay vessels and other vessels  11 
2.3 Cruise vessels  12 
Part 3:  Additional requirements for specific regulated pests  13 
3.1 Lymantria complex (formerly referred to as Asian gypsy moth (AGM))  13 
Schedule 1: Definitions  14 
Schedule 2: Minimum evidence requirements for vessel biofouling inspections  16 
Schedule 3: Required locations for vessel biofouling inspections  19 
Schedule 4: Bi ofouling thresholds  20 
Schedule 5: Lymantria  complex  risk areas and risk periods  21 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 21 Introduction  
This introduction is not part of the standard but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
The purpose of this standard is to specify the requirements needed to manage the  biosecurity risks 
associated with vessels entering New Zealand territor ial waters.  It does not apply to the b allast  water  risks 
associated with a vessel . 
Background  
Vessels entering New Zealand territory after visiting the territory of another country have the potential to be 
vectors of exotic pests, disease agents and unwanted organisms.  
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) prescribes requirements for the exclusion, eradication and effective 
management of pests and unwanted organisms in New Zeala nd. These organisms have the potential to 
cause harm to natural and physical resources and human health in New Zealand. The Ministry for Primary 
Industries (MPI) is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
This Craft Risk Manag ement Standard (CRMS) is developed under the Act. It specifies the biosecurity risk 
management and information requirements that must be met when vessels enter New Zealand territory.  Upon 
arrival , verification that these requirements have been met will be carried out (verification may include 
inspections).  
Who should read this ?  
Operators and persons in charge of vessels should read this CRMS  if the vessels are based in New Zealand  
and voyage in and out of the country or if the vessels  originat e outside a nd arriv e into New Zealand territorial 
waters as occasional or regular visitors or  are operators of ports approved as places of first arrival . 
Why is this important?  
In accordance with section 24J of the Act, the operator or person in charge of a vessel must take all 
reasonable steps to comply with this standard.  If the operator or person in charge of the vessel does not 
comply with this standard, an inspector or authorised person may issue a compliance order requiring 
compliance.   
Section 154C of the Act provides that the person against whom a compliance order is made must - 
(a) comply with the order; and  
(b) do so within the period stated in the order,  if a period is stated; and  
(c) pay all the costs and expenses of complying with the order,  unless the order states otherwise.   
Section 154N(11) of the Act states that a person  who fails to comply with a compliance order  commits an 
offence. Every person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction, in the case of an 
individual, to imprisonm ent for a term not exce 3eding three  months, a fine not exceeding NZ$50,000, or both: 
and in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding NZ$100,000.  
The operator or person in charge of any vessel that has risk goods on board may receive a direction from an 
inspector under the Act to take steps to manage those risk goods on board the vessel and, if these steps are 
not taken, the vessel may be directed to leave New Zealand  territory .  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  5 of 21 Deliberate non -compliance with the requirements of this sta ndard or negligence leading to non -compliance 
may lead to increased intervention regimes (e.g. inspections or audits).  
Equivalence  
An operator may submit a craft risk management plan  for approval by the Director -General under section 24K 
of the Act propo sing alternative ways of managing the risks that this standard relates to. The Director -General 
will only approve a plan if satisfied that the requirements proposed in the plan allow risks to be managed to 
the same extent or to a greater extent than they c an be managed under this standard.  
Costs  
The costs to the New Zealand Government in performing its biosecurity risk management functions relating to 
the arrival of vessels in accordance with the requirements of this standard will be recovered as specified by 
the Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010.  
Document history  
No. Version Date  Section Changed  Change Description  
1.0 20 July 2017  N/A N/A 
2.0 16 October 2018  Threshold  Moved  biofouling  threshold s to a schedule.  
3.0 2022  All sections  Incorporation of biofouling  requirements from the CRMS -
Biofoul  into the appropriate sections of the standard  (which 
has led to numbering changes) , changes to vessel categories,  
addition of minimum reporting requirements into the 
information requirements, a mendment to the Asian Gypsy 
Moth requirement s, including name change and change to risk 
perio ds and areas, and updates to the definitions  and 
thresholds . 
 
Other requirements of the Act  
Arrival  
In accordance with section 17 of the Act, if possible and practicable to do so, a vessel must arrive in New 
Zealand at either:  
a) a place of first arrival that has been approved by the Director -General  as suitable for the vessel 
type and the purpose for which  it is arriving; or  
b) a place for which special approval has been granted by the Director -General  for a specified 
vessel to arrive, or for vessels to arrive for a specified purpose, under section 37A of the Act.  
Risk goods  
In accordance with sections 18, 19  and 33 of the Act, no risk goods are permitted to be removed from a 
vessel without the permission of an inspector.  
Where risk goods are present on a vessel that arrived from overseas, the person in charge of the vessel must 
follow every reasonable directi on given by an inspector including to relocate the vessel or to manage the risk 
goods.  
Other relevant regulations for vessels include:  
a) The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and 
Sediments ; and  
b) Various import hea lth standards managing the risks of goods imported for clearance.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  6 of 21 This standard is intended to work in conjunction with other import health standards  and sections of the Act to 
manage goods not mentioned in the following requirements. The standard should n ot be seen to override 
these.  
 
Guidance  
Examples of goods managed by other sections of the Act or under another IHS:  
• Passengers, crew and their personal effects  
• Containers and general cargo  
 
Other information  
Further guidance for this Craft Risk Management Standard is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries 
website. Please  check the website or  contact  MPI for guidance if you are unsure about  anything in  the 
standard prior to  entering or while the vessel is in New Zealand territory.  
This document is not intended to be a complete summary of the obligations of operators or persons in charge 
of vessels under the Biosecurity Act 1993.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  7 of 21 Part 1:  General requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This standard applies to : 
a) All vessels that enter New Zeal and territory after a voyage originating outside New Zealand’s 
territor y. It does not apply to vessels that are passing through New Zealand territory on innocent 
or transit passage as defined in the United Nations Convention on Law of the Se a.  
b) All biosecu rity risks associated with a vessel, including any particular risks identified in this 
standard except for ballast water.  
 
Guidance  
• Nothing in this standard affects the responsibility of an operator or person in charge of a vessel 
to meet the requirements  of other enactments or regulations including those relating to the 
safety of the vessel, crew and passengers.  
• Ballast water is managed under the International Convention for the Control and Management 
of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments . 
1.2 Definitions  
(1) Definitions of terms used in this standard are set out in Schedule 1.  
(2) Terms used in this standard that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out in the Act, unless a 
different meaning is given in Schedule 1.  
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference:  
a) IMO guidelines, the 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships ’ Biofouling to 
Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (Resolution MEPC.207(62)) .  
b) Approved Biosecur ity Treatments MPI -STD-ABTRT . 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Biosecurity Act, it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply. That 
is, a notice under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material, that 
amends or replaces any material incorporated by reference, has legal effect as part of the documents 
in (1) above.  
1.4 Required information  
(1) An operator, or person in charge, of a vessel must ensure that the information in clause s (2), (3) and 
(4) below is sent to, and received by MP I, at least 48 hours prior to the vessel’s entry into New Zealand 
territory. The information listed in clause ( 5) must be held onboard and presented to MPI if requested.  
(2) Vessel details:  
a) Vessel name and IMO number  
b) Voyage number, if the vessel has one  
c) Vessel’s registration number, if the vessel has one  
d) Radio call sign  
e) Vessel contact details  
f) Vessel type   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  8 of 21 g) Country and port of registration, if registered  
h) Name of the person in charge on board the vessel  
i) Name of the owner or charterer of the vessel  
j) Any previous names of the vessel  
k) Agent’s name and contact detail, if applicable . 
 
(3) Voyage details:  
a) Estimated time of arrival (ETA) in New Zealand territory  
b) ETA at place of first arrival  in New Zealand  
c) Intended length of time in New Zealand territory  
d) List of al l the ports of call in New Zealand, with ETAs and ETDs  for each port  after place of first 
arrival, if applicable  
e) Previous overseas ports and dates of calls for past 12 months  
f) Next overseas port after leaving New Zealand territory  
g) Any cargo destined for Ne w Zealand  
h) Any g oods for landing by the crew and private equipment or belongings intended to be used 
ashore, if applicable  
i) Details of live animals kept on  board as pets, if applicable  
j) Details of and signs of any pests on board  
k) Species of the Lymantria  compl ex risk information: any risk areas visited in the 12 months 
immediately  preceding the vessel’s intended date for entry into New Zealand territory if that visit 
occurred during a risk period, any  certificate showing  freedom from  species of the Lymantria 
complex  held (showing time and date of inspection)  
l) Whether or not the vessel has carried livestock or bulk grain in the previous 3 months  
m) Whether or not the vessel has a pest management plan  
n) Whether or not the vessel has a garbage management plan  
o) Whether or not the vessel has any wood packaging or dunnage on  board  
p) Whether or not the vessel has any meat and fresh produce on  board that is not of New Zealand 
origin . 
(4) Biofouling information  required prior to arrival:  
a) Whether  the vessel has spent any extended periods mainly stationary in a single location ; and  
b) If the vessel is coming in to undergo biofouling cleaning on arrival, any arrangement for cleaning 
or treatment and whether they will be undertaken upon arrival (within 24 hours) ; and  
c) The measure  listed in clause 1.5(3) that  will be applied to the vessels in order  to meet the 
requirements of th is standard ; or  
d) Whether the operator or person in charge operate s the vessel under  an MPI -approved craft risk 
management plan as an alternative to meeting the requirements of the standard . 
 
(5) The following information (if relevant) must be held on the vessel and provided to MPI prior to arrival in 
an appropriate  form if requested.  
a) Information on the antifouling regime and any marine g rowth prevention systems used  
b) Whether the vessel is applying the IMO Biofouling Guidelines, including employing a biofouling 
management plan showing the hull maintenance and inspection regime and records of biofouling 
management kept  
c) If the vessel operates on an antifouling regime,  the latest  International Antifouling System 
Certificate or International Antifouling System Declaration  
d) The latest hull biofouling inspection report (either conducted on land or in water)  that meets the 
criteria  in and is obtained in accordance with the process  in Schedule s 2 and 3 . 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 21  
1.5 Risk management  
(1) The operator or person in charge of any vessel must take all reasonable and practicable steps to 
ensure that when the vessel enters New Zealand territory, it is free of regulated pests and substantially 
free of biosecurity contamination .  
(2) The vessel must also arrive in New Zealand with a ‘clean hull’ as per the thresholds defined in 
Schedule 4.  
 
Guidance  
• Part 2 separates vessels into short -stay, long-stay and cruise vessel  categories. The ‘clean hull’ 
thresholds depend on the vessel’s length of stay and itiner ary.  
• If it is  required in Part 3 , the operator will have to obtain a certificate of freedom from species of 
the Lymantria  complex  before the vessel enters New Zealand territory.  
Acceptable measures for ensuring a vessel has a ‘clean hull’  
(3) Operators or the person in charge of a vessel must provide evidence for one of the following options to 
show compliance with Schedule 4.  
a) Inspect before arrival : Inspect and if required,  remove all biofouling found from all parts of the 
hull, including niche  areas , less than 30 days before arriv al to New Zealand.  
b) Clean out of water on arrival:  Have a booking at a MPI approved haul -out facility to remove 
biofouling  and enter this facility within 24 hours of arrival to New Zealand. Once in the facility , all 
biofouling from all parts of the hull, including niche areas  are removed .  
c) Continual maintenance using best practice1: This includes application of antifouling coatings, 
operation of marine growth prevention systems and in -water inspections with biofouling r emoval 
as required. This measure is suitable for short -stay vessels onl y. 
d) Treat on arrival:  All available approved treatments are listed in Approved Biosecurity 
Treatments  (MPI-STD-ABTRT ). This exclu des the removal of biofouling in an approved haul -out 
facility.  
 
  Guidance  
• Where the IMO has templates available,  we recommend you use them for ease of compliance .  
• The following information relating to the information requirements can be found on the MPI 
website : 
(1) The required forms  on which to provide the above information including the Advance Notice 
of Arrival, Master’s Declaration, Voyage Memo  and Ballast Water / Biofouling Declarations  
(2) A list of MPI -approved biofouling inspection providers  will be available on our website.  
(3) The Operational Code: Vessel biofouling inspection provider approval scheme  
(4) The Guidance Document: Vessel biofouling inspection s. This contains Schedule 2 and 3 and 
includes  guidance  and resources  relating to hull biofouling inspection requirements.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 21  
(4) While a vessel is within New Zealand territory, the operator or person in charge of the vessel must 
ensure that:  
a) no risk goods (including food and garbage) are discharged overboard or otherwise leave the 
vessel other than for  disposal by an approved syst em or  for biosecurity  clearance at a  place of 
first arrival; and  
b) all biosecurity contamination and other risk goods are secured on the vessel; and  
c) no removal of biofouling from  an international vessel  is undertaken in New Zealand territory . 
  
(5) Clause 4 does not apply to a vessel that has received written confirmation from an inspector in 
accordance with part 2.2 (2). 
 
Guidance  
• In addition to food and garbage, t he risk goods managed by  1.5(4)(a) include s any cargo , packaging  and 
equipment used overboard (i.e. fishing equipment or aquaculture equipment). It does not include vessel 
safety equipment such as the anchor.  
• The following are examples of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination that are managed by this 
standard :  
• Domestic waste and  the vacuum  waste from cabin, deck, hold and other internal areas  
• Animals , plants and parts of animals or plants (for example, fruit, house plants, floral arrangements, 
animal and plant waste)  
• Soil 
• Standing water  
• Spillage from previous cargo in the hold 
• Pests and their material such as nests, or egg masses  
• Marine species (for example, bryozoans, algae, bivalves, sponges, tunicates, barnacles and 
tubeworms)  
• Examples of goods that are not risk goods for the purposes of 1. 5(4)(a):  
• Food waste that meets  the criteria set out in Regulation 4 (Discharge of garbage outside special 
areas) of MARPOL Annex V – The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from 
Ships, Rules   
• Garbage that has been segregated from any risk goods (for example recycli ng) and has been 
approved by an inspector as being free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination  
• Keeping the vessel as clean as practicable (for example free of garbage , standing waters, soil and plant 
material, spilt cargo, rodents and other pests ) is an efficient way of keeping  the vessel substantially free of 
biosecurity contamination.  
• These requirements apply to all vessels while they are within New Zealand territory until they leave 
New Zealand territory or the operator or person in charge has obtained written confirmation from an MPI 
inspector that the vessel complies with part 2.2.  Guidance  
• Following the IMO Biofouling Guidelines1 is an example of best practice . 
• MPI has not yet approved any treatments for biofouling. Treat on arrival and the document  
Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-STD-ABTRT ) remain listed to enable the use of  
treatments once they are approved by MPI to remove  biofouling . 
• As an alternative to the acceptable measures above, an operator or person in charge of a 
vessel may submit a craft risk management plan for MPI approval, under section 24K of the 
Act (which includes steps that will be taken to reduce risk to the equivalent degree as meeting 
the requirements of this standard).   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  11 of 21 Part 2:  Specific requirements  
2.1 Short -stay vessels  
(1) This part applies to all vessels that enter New Zealand territory where the operator or person in charge 
of a vessel  has given notice under part 1.4 that the vessel will:  
a) only visit ports designated as places of first arrival with travel via the most direct route practical; 
and 
b) remain in New Zealand territory for a maximum voyage  of 25 consecutive days from time of entry 
into New Zealand territory; and  
c) arrive in New Zealand with a ‘clean hull’. A hull is considered to be a ‘clean hull’ when no 
biofouling of live organisms is present other than that within the thresholds in Table 1 of Sc hedule 
4. 
 
Guidance  
• If an operator or person in charge of a vessel w ants to extend a vessel’s stay past 2 5 days or 
visit places that are not places of first arrival, they must contact MPI as soon as possible and 
make arrangements for the vessel to meet the  requirements for long -stay vessels.  
• All short -stay vessels are subject to 1. 5(4) at all times. This includes all equipment used 
overboard  and personal belongings until they have been issued clearance under the Biosecurity 
Act 1993.   
2.2 Long -stay vessels and  other vessels  
(1) This part applies if an operator or person in charge of a vessel gives notice under part 1. 4 that the 
vessel will:  
a) remain in New Zealand territory for 2 6 consecutive days or longer; or  
b) visit areas other than places of first arrival.  
(2) The operator or person in charge of the vessel must obtain written confirmation from an inspector  at a 
place of first arrival  that the vessel meets the requirements in section 2.2 (2)(a), 2.2(2)(b) and 2.2(2)(c) . 
This must be done before the vessel leaves  the place of first arrival or otherwise within 25 consecutive 
days of entering New  Zealand territory.  
a) The vessel is free of regulated pests and biosecurity contamination . 
b) Any risk goods have either:  
i) been remove d from the vessel through an approved process; or  
ii) received biosecurity clearance under the Act . 
c) The vessel has a ‘clean hull’. That is, no biofouling of live organisms is present other than that 
within the thresholds in Table 2 of Schedule 4.  
 
Guidance  
• Generally, risk goods that are not intended for clearance should be removed from the vessel in 
accordance with the process that has been established at the relevant port of first arrival.  An 
inspector may decide that garbage for recycling or disposal that ha s been segregated from any risk 
goods (for example waste cardboard or glass for recycling) is not a risk good because it does not 
present any biosecurity risk, and therefore does not need to be removed via an approved process at 
a place of first arrival.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  12 of 21 • The intention is that short -stay vessels will remain under biosecurity monitoring while in New Zealand 
territory as some risk goods may be kept on board. Verification that short -stay vessels continue to 
comply with the requirements of this standard  may invo lve inspections during their stay within New 
Zealand territory . 
• Long-stay and other vessels that have received written confirmation from an inspector under part 
2.2(2) are free to remain in  and can travel around  New Zealand indefinitely without further bio security 
monitoring  related to this CRMS . If risk goods are later discovered on one of these vessels, MPI will 
still have to manage the risk goods .  
• Please note - some ecologically important areas are managed by other agencies (such as 
Department of Conser vation or Regional Councils)  and may require further documentation before 
visiting i.e. Fiordland, Kermadec Islands and Subantarctic Islands.  
2.3 Cruise vessels  
(1) The operator or person in charge of a cruise vessel must  ensure that the cruise  vessel  either:  
a) compl ies with long-stay requirements set out in Clause 2.2; or  
b) operates under an MPI -approved system to manage topside and bio fouling  risk.  
 
Guidance  for consultation  
• A specific clause for cruise vessels  has been added because  these vessels  have an unusual 
operating profile . These vessels  move  large numbers  of passengers , house  high volumes of 
food and have  onboard structures such as gardens and golf courses.  These vessels also often 
visit areas that are not places of first arrival . Many of the risk g oods that cruise vessels carry  
remain on board and in most cases cannot be given full biosecurity clearance.  
• The MPI -approved system will incorporate elements of both craft risk management plans  and 
the Cruise Accreditation Scheme.  
• Cruise vessel  is defined as a commercial vessel used primarily for the purpose of tourism and 
carrying fare -paying passengers. This does not include  chartered yachts.  
 
Guidance  
• Clause 2.3 is not suitable for chartered yachts. For more info rmation  on yachts , visit the MPI  
website.  
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  13 of 21 Part 3:  Additional requirements for specific regulated pests  
3.1 Lymantria complex (formerly referred to as Asian gypsy moth 
(AGM))  
Guidance for Consultation  
• New Zealand is working with  the North American Plant Protection Organisation  and other 
countries regulating Lymantria  species to ensure consistency  in terminology and common 
names for these species of moths . To align with international practices,  terminology in the 
standard may change after consultation. This will not affect the r equirements.  
 
(1) The operator, or person in charge of a vessel, must ensure that the vessel is free of species of the 
Lymantria  complex  when it enters New Zealand territory.  
(2) If the vessel has visited a risk area during the 12 months immediately preceding the  vessel’s entry into 
New Zealand territory and that visit took place during a risk period for the risk area  (Schedule 5 ), then 
the operator or person in charge of the vessel must ensure that the vessel does not enter New Zealand 
territory unless they have obtained a valid certificate of freedom from species of the Lymantria  
complex . 
(3) If the vessel has visited more than one risk area during the 12 months immediately preceding the 
vessel’s entry into New Zealand territory and these visits took place within the  corresponding risk 
period for the areas visited, a valid certificate of freedom from species of the Lymantria  complex  is 
required for the last risk area visited in the relevant risk period.  
(4) A valid certificate of freedom from species of the Lymantria  complex  must  be issued by a n MPI-
recognised inspection body  and must certify that:  
a) The vessel was inspected by an MPI-recognised inspection body during the daylight hours on the 
same  calendar  day as vessel departure; and  
b) The vessel is free of species of the Lymantria  complex .  
 
Guidance  
• Species of t he Lymantria complex are also commonly referred to as flighted spongy moths.  
• The MPI recognised inspection bodies are listed on MPI’s website .  
• Any vessel without a valid certificate of freedom from species of the Lymantria  complex  may be 
inspected to check that it is free from all life stages of species of the Lymantria  complex . The 
vessel may be required to  arrive  at specific ports, or at a locat ion at least 4 nautical miles from 
land for the inspection. The operator will be responsible for the cost of inspection and any 
treatment o f egg mass removal directed by the inspector.  
• Schedule 5 provides details  of the species of the Lymantria  complex , risk areas and risk  
periods.  
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  14 of 21 Schedule 1: Definitions  
This schedule sets out the definitions of terms used within this CRMS. Unless a term has a specific definition 
listed below, then the meaning should be taken to be the same as that found in s ection 2 of the Biosecurity 
Act 1993.  
Algal growth  means growth of algae that is visible to the naked eye. Algae may be either single -celled 
filamentous forms or multi -celled macroalgae (seaweed) species and includes coralline algae.  
Approved process mean s a process approved as part of the approval of a place of first arrival under section 
37 of the Act.  
Biofouling means the accumulation of aquatic organisms such as micro -organisms, plants, and animals on 
surfaces and structures immersed in or exposed to t he aquatic environment.  
Biosecurity contaminant means any organic material, other thing or substance that (by reasons of its 
nature, origin or other relevant factor) it is reasonable to suspect harbours or contains a regulated pest (or 
parts thereof) and where such material, other thing or substance is not intended for biosecurity clearance 
under the Act.  For the purposes of this Standard,  the following are examples of biosecurity contamination that 
are managed by this Standard :  
a) Domestic waste and the vacuum  waste  from cabin, deck, hold and other internal areas;  
b) Animals and plants and parts thereof (for example, fruit, house plants, floral arrangements, 
animal and plant waste);  
c) Soil 
d) Standing water;  
e) Spillage from previous cargo in the hold;  
f) Pest material such as nests or egg masses  and;  
g) Biofouling species (for example: bryozoans, algae, bivalves, sponges, tunicates, barnacles and 
tubeworms).  
Cruise vessel  means  a commercial vessel used primarily for the purpose of tourism and carrying fare -paying 
passengers. This does not include  chartered yachts.  
Goose barnacle s (or stalked barnacles or gooseneck barnacles ) typically have  a long  stalked neck with a 
white pointed shell at the tip . They  are ubiquitous foulers of tropical, subtropical and temperate seas, with a 
wide oceanic distribution that includes attachment to driftwood, floating debris and vessel hulls, as well as 
whales or turtles.  
Hull means the immersed (including occasionally imme rsed) surfaces of a vessel including the following three 
parts. The definition of hull includes pontoons.  
• Hull area  
The immersed surfaces of a vessel excluding niche areas and wind/water line  
• Niche areas  
Areas on a vessel hull that are more susceptible to  biofouling due to different hydrodynamic forces, 
susceptibility to coating system wear or damage, or being inadequately, or not, painted, e.g., sea chests, 
bow thrusters, propeller shafts, inlet gratings, dry -dock support strips, etc. , includ ing appendage s 
• Wind and water line  
The area of the hull that is subject to alternating immersion due to a vessel’s movement or loading 
conditions (also known in shipping as the boot -top) 
 
IMO means the International Maritime Organi zation.  
Lymantria  complex means  all life stages of the following species of  Lymantria : Lymantria dispar asiatica, 
Lymantria dispar japonica, Lymantria umbrosa, Lymantria albescens and Lymantria postalba.  Species of the 
Lymantria  complex are commonly referred to as flighted spongy moth s (formerly Asian gypsy moth ).   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  15 of 21 Lymantria  complex risk area means a country or an area of a country that a vessel may have visited where 
contamination with species of the Lymantria  complex is likely to  occur and listed in columns 1 and 2 of 
Schedule 5.  
Lymantria  complex risk period means the period in respect to a risk area when a visiting vessel is likely to 
become contaminated with species of the Lymantria  complex due to it being the time for flight and egg laying 
by the female adults; and listed in column 3 of Schedule 5. 
MPI-approved system  means a management system approved by a chief technical officer that ensures 
vessels are free of biosecurity contaminants and regulated pests. Specific system ty pes approved under this 
CRMS include  the MPI-approved System  for cruise vessels  to manage topside and biofouling risk.   
New Zealand territory means the land and the waters enclosed by the outer limits of the territorial sea (out to 
12nm), where territorial sea has the meaning given to it in secti on 3 of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, 
and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977.  
Niche area  mean s any area on a ship that may be more susceptible to biofouling due to different 
hydrodynamic forces, susceptibility to coating system wear or damage, or bei ng inadequately, or not, painted, 
e.g., sea chests, bow thrusters, propeller shafts, inlet gratings, dry -dock support strips, etc.  
Non-indigenous species  means organisms that are not native to New Zealand.  
Pest  means any organism found on a vessel arriving  in New Zealand. Pests  can be species commonly found 
in holds, cabin and gall eys of a vessel, these species may or may not be regulated pests, and are considered  
a general indicator of the overall hygiene  of the vessel.   
Place of first arrival means a seaport that has been approved under section 37 of the Act as a place of first 
arrival for vessels and risk goods.  
Regulated pest means  (a) any regulated pest, quarantine pest, or regulated non -quarantine pest as those 
terms are defined in the Int ernational Plant Protection Convention; and (b) exotic diseases, infections and 
infestations listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health ; and (c) any organism that that may cause 
unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or human health in New  Zealand; or may interfere with the 
diagnosis, management, or treatment, in New Zealand, of pests or unwanted organisms.  
Secured means prevented from leaving or being removed from the vessel, including being removed by birds 
or vermin or prevented from re leasing organisms that may establish in New Zealand. Appropriate methods of 
securing risk goods include the cook preventing access to prohibited food items; garbage being kept in a leak -
proof, vermin -proof , insect -proof  and bird -proof container or room; co ntaminated dunnage being kept inside a 
locker.  
Slime layer  means a layer of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and diatoms, and the slimy 
substances that they produce.  
Vessel or seacraft  means a subset of ‘craft’ as defined by the Act and means every description of boat or 
other craft used in water navigation, whether or not it has any means of propulsion. It includes a barge, lighter, 
hovercraft or floating drilling rig. It does not include aircraft.  
Voyage means a single journey where a craft intends to arrive in New Zealand from outside New Zealand's 
EEZ, after having  entered another country’s territorial waters and/or ha ving spent a prolonged period in 
international waters. These are also  vessels  that are required to submit Advanced Notice of  Arrival (ANOA) 
documents.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  16 of 21 Schedule 2: Minimum evidence requirements for vessel 
biofouling inspections  
General requirements  
(1) The vessel  operator , or person in charge of a vessel, must ensure the following  proce ss is met :  
a) The vessel operator , or person in  charge of a vessel,  must provide a biofouling inspection 
provider, prior to any inspection, copies of the  general arrangement (GA)  and d ocking plan (i.e. 
placement of dry -docking blocks ). If for any reason the  documents cannot be obtained or are 
invalid, the vessel operator  must  discuss the arrangement with the biofouling inspector provider  
to clarify presence or absence and general locations of niche areas. A record of either of the 
above must be kept ; 
b) Vessel biofouling inspection must m eet the evidence capture requirements  below ; and  
c) When  the inspection  is completed , vessel biofouling inspection report must meet the  reporting 
requirements as part of this schedule . 
 Capturing evidence  
(2) The evidence captured must be  high-quality digital video footage and still photos of all locations on the 
hull listed  in Schedule 3 , regardless of the presence or absence of biofouling.  High-quality means a 
level that allows the viewer to identify biofouling to broad taxonomic groups (e. g. barnacles, tube 
worms, macroalgae).  
(3) Three photos and a video must be taken , no more than 0.5m from the hull,  of each location  listed in 
Schedule 3, except for  the locations listed under “miscellaneous”  where one photo graph  and one video  
is required for each location .  
(4) The digital cameras used for gathering the evidence must be capable of time and date  stamping 
footage or photos (i.e. the correct date and time must be on the photos) , or alternatively  the time and 
date must be saved  as properties associated with the file.  
(5) Each image or video must be labelled to identify the image’s location in relation to the hull during the 
inspection , e.g. labels on a quadrat frame.  
(6) Each video must be taken at a speed slow enough for the camera to operat e in low -light conditions 
without  blurring image s in individual frames.   Guidance  
• The following information relating to the vessel biofouling inspection r equirements can be found on the 
MPI website:  
- The Guidance Document: Vessel biofouling inspections . This contains Schedule 2 and 3 and 
includes guidance and resources relating to hull biofouling inspection requirements  
- A list of MPI -approved biofouling inspection providers  
- The Operational Code: Vessel biofouling inspection provider approval scheme  
• MPI-approved biofouling inspection providers are those providers who MPI has assessed to be 
competent in producing  reports that meet the requirements of the CRMS . 
• The goal of the inspection  is not to estimate the abundance of individual species on the vessel (e .g. 
biomass, or numbers of individuals) but provide evidence  of the level of fouling  so MPI can determine 
whether it meets the  “clean hull” definition.  
• Providing q uantitative reporting on the level of fouling on the hull does not mean the vessel complies or 
does not comply with this standard , but it may help MPI assess photo and video evidence.  
• The in -water inspection  may include, but is not limited to:  
− the vessel h ull inspection provider  undertaking a physical survey using underwater breathing 
apparatus (i.e. SCUBA);  or 
− the vessel hull inspection provider directing a n underwater remotely operated vehicle (UROV) .  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  17 of 21 (7) All reasonable attempts to access and survey all submerged and relevant topside areas as thoroughly 
as possible .  
(8) Any locations on the hull that are listed in Schedule 3 but were not surveyed must be identified in the 
report as per the reporting requirements below,  along with the reason they were not inspected.   
Reporting  
(9) The vessel operator, or person in charge of a vessel,  must provide MPI with the followi ng when 
required :  
a) A report in portable document format (PDF) that includes the following:  
i) A signed and completed vessel checklist and reporting form ( see guidance  below ) 
containing the following information:  
• Date and location of inspection, vessel name, IMO number, vessel type, inspection 
personnel, weather conditions, water visibility, number of images supplied, and number 
of videos supplied  
• A list of each required location ( Schedule 3) with the following  information  
accompanying  each location:   
– Confirmation of required evidence being gathered  
– Mode and r ange (minimum and maximum) biofouling scores  and description 
of the scoring system used.  
– Description of broad taxonomic groups  present  (e.g. barnacles, tube worms, 
macroalgae) . 
(10) The vessel operator, or person in charge of a vessel,  must also make the  following available to MPI  if 
requested : 
a) All video footage of each location in Schedule 3  that are  clearly filed and  label led; 
b) Inspection plan out lining key location s identified for hull  and niche  areas, crew members 
consulted, and any other documents acquired for the planning process , e.g. GA , docking plan 
and internal seawater system schematics .  
  Guidance  
 
The areas listed in schedule 3 under “misce llaneous” are small, and so o ne photo and video of each 
location is acceptable . 
 
Valid reasons for the exclu ding locations on the hull listed in Schedule 3  could be  concerns for human 
health and safety, risk of damage to equipment, or the location not being present on the hull.   
 
If an area in Schedule 3  is not present on the hull, it is a good idea to provide  evidence of this in the report .  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  18 of 21 Guidance  
Inspecting  a vessel  that has a notice of direction (NOD) from MPI  ordering it to be inspected : 
This guidance is only for  vessel biofouling inspection providers in New Zealand. If you are asked to inspect 
a vessel because it  has received a NOD  to get inspected , MPI needs  prom pt and direct reporting . In this 
situation, the vessel has not complied with other requirements in  this standard . Under a NOD, there is 
usually a tight deadline for the inspection, and so t he reporting requirements above  might  not apply .  
In this situation , follow the instructions from the MPI inspector. The  MPI inspector may require:  
c) the photo s captured as specified in this schedule  
d) the signed and completed vessel checklist and reporting form as per this schedule  presented 
in a clear format  
e) video footage and CCTV recordings  
The Guidance Document: Vessel Biofouling Inspections  contains Schedule s 2 and 3 along with 
supplementary guidance and resources, including a template vessel checklist and reporting form  and a 
biofouling  scoring system.    
This standard describes the minimum level of reporting that MPI needs  to make an accurate assessment of 
a vessel’s biofouling , but it is up to the vessel biofouling inspection provider and vessel operator to decide 
on the maximum level o f reporting.   
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  19 of 21 Schedule 3: Required locations  for vessel biofouling 
inspections  
Stern  Midship  Miscellaneous  
Port Starboard  Port  Starboard  Starboard anodes  
Hull wind /water line  Hull wind /water line  Hull wind /water line  Hull wind / water line  Port anodes  
Hull vertical deep  Hull vertical deep  Hull vertical deep  Hull vertical deep  Stern anodes  
Hull flat bottom  Hull flat bottom  Hull flat bottom  Hull flat bottom  Earthing plates  
Dry-docking blocks  Dry-docking blocks  Dry-docking blocks  Dry-docking blocks  Echo sounder transducers  
Sea chests , internal  Sea chests , internal  Sea chests , internal  Sea chests , internal  Speed log fairings  
Sea chests ’ gratings  Sea chests ’ gratings  Sea chests ’ gratings  Sea chests ’ gratings  Port pipework/discharge pipes   
Upper  Lower  Bilge keel  Bilge keel  Stbd. pipework/discharge pipes  
Rudder trailing edge  Rudder trailing edge  Bow   
Rudder leading edge  Rudder leading edge  Port  Starboard  
Rudder vertical 
hinge/post gap  Rudder vertical 
hinge/post gap  Hull wind /water line  Hull wind /water line  
Rudder port flat side  Rudder port flat side  Hull vertical deep  Hull vertical deep  
Rudder stbd. flat side  Rudder stbd. flat side  Hull flat bottom  Hull flat bottom  
Rope guard , external  Rope guard , external  Dry-docking blocks  Dry-docking blocks  
Rope guard , internal  Rope guard , internal  Sea chests , internal  Sea chests , internal  
Rudder top  Rudder bottom  Sea chests ’ gratings  Sea chests ’ gratings  
Stern tube  Stern arch  Bow thruster grating  Bow thruster grating  
Rudder stock  Bow thruster tunnel  Bow thruster tunnel  
Rudder post/pintle  Bow thruster blades  
Rudder horizontal hinge/post gap  Bow thruster boss cone  
Propeller blades – forward side  Bow thruster rope guard , external  
Propeller blades – aft side  Bow thruster rope guard , internal  
Propeller boss  Bulbous bow - upper  
Propeller shaft  Bulbous bow - lower  
Guidance  
This schedule and supplementary resources, such as a vessel checklist and reporting form, can also be found in the  
Guidance Document: Vessel Biofouling Inspections .  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  20 of 21 Schedule 4: Biofouling thresholds  
Table 1: Biofouling threshold for short -stay vessels   
 
Hull part  Allowable biofouling  
All hull surfaces  Slime layer  
Goose barnacles  
Wind and water line  Green algae growth  of unrestricted cover , no more than 50 mm in frond, 
filament or beard length  
Brown and red algal growth  no more than 4 mm in length  
Incidental (maximum of 1%) coverage of tubeworms, bryozoans and/or 
barnacles, occurring as  isolated individuals or small clusters  
Hull area  Algal growth occurring as:  
• no more than 4 mm in length; and  
• continuous strips and/or patches of no more than 50 mm in width  
Incidental (maximum of 1%) coverage of tubeworms, bryozoans and/or 
barnacles, occurring as  isolated individuals or small clusters that have no 
algal overgrowt h 
Niche areas  Algal growth occurring as:  
• no more than 4 mm in length; and  
• continuous strips and/or patches of no more than 50 mm in width  
Scattered (maximum of 5%) coverage of tubeworms, bryozoans and/or 
barnacles, occurring as  widely spaced individuals and/or infrequent, patchy 
clusters that have no algal overgrowth  
 
Table 2: Biofouling threshold for long -stay vessels  
 
Hull part  Allowable biofouling  
All hull surfaces  Slime layer  
Goose barnacles   
  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  21 of 21 Schedule 5: Lymantria  complex * risk areas and risk periods  
* Formerly commonly referred to as Asian gypsy moth , now commonly referred to as flighted s pongy moth. 
 
Risk area Requirements apply where visited any ports  Specified risk period  
Russian Far 
East south of 6 0° north and west of 147 ° longitude (excluding 
ports on the Kamchatka Peninsula)   June 15 to October 15  
China  north of latitude of 31 ° 15’ N  June 1 to September 30  
Republic of 
Korea  in all areas  June 1 to September 30  
Japan -
Northern  in prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, 
Fukushima, Akita, Yamagata  June 15 to October 15  
Japan - 
Central  in prefectures of Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Ibaraki, 
Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie  June 1 to September 30  
Japan - 
Southern  in prefectures of Wakayama, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, 
Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, 
Tokushima, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, 
Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima  May 15 to August 31  
Japan - Far 
Southern  in prefecture of Okinawa  May 25 to June 30