Craft Risk  Management Standard  
 
 
Biofouling on Vessels 
Arriving to New Zealand  
CRMS - BIOFOUL  
15 May 2014  
 
A craft risk management standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993  Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 . 15 May 2014  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  1 of 8 TITLE  
Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Craft Risk Management  Standard  comes into force on the 15th of May 2018   
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Craft Risk Management  Standard  is issued  
 
Dated at Wellington this          day of                       2014  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peter Thomson  
Director, Plants, Food & Environment  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director General)  
A copy of the instrument of delegation may be inspected at the Director General’s office.  
 
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries  (MPI)  
Standards Branch  
Plants, Food and Environment Directorate  
PO Box 2526,  
Wellington 6140  
Email:  standards@mpi.govt.nz  
 
 
 
 Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 . 15 May 2014  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  2 of 8 Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Preliminary Provisions  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 The outcome this standard is see king to achieve  4 
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  4 
Part 2:  Requirements  5 
2.1 ‘Clean Hull’ requirement  5 
2.2 ‘Clean Hull’ thresholds  5 
2.3 Acceptable measures for meeting the standard  6 
2.4 Information requirements  7 
Appendix 1:  Definiti ons 8 
 
 
 Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 . 15 May 2014  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  3 of 8 Introduction  
This introduction is not part of the Craft Risk Management Standard , but is intended to indicate its general 
effect.  
Purpose  
(1) This Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) specifies the requirements for management of 
biofouling risk associated with vessels (sea craft) that are entering New Zealand territorial waters.  
Backgro und 
(2) Vessel biofouling is a major pathway for the introduction of non -indigenous marine organisms into New 
Zealand ’s territorial waters, some of which may be harmful to New Zealand ’s resources, economy, 
environment, and/or people’s health and well being. This CRMS manages the risk of introduction into 
New Zealand ’s territor ial waters of harmful organisms associated wit h arriving vessels.  
Who should read this Craft Risk Management Standard ? 
(3) Operator s and person s in charge of either vessels based in New Zealand , voyaging in and out of the 
country , or vessels originating from outside and  arriving into New Zealand territory  as occasional or 
regular visitors .  
Why is this important ? 
(4) An operator  or the person in charge of a vessel, must take all reasonable steps to comply with this 
standard.  Any vessel that does not meet t he requirements of this standard is likely be directed under 
section 32 or 33 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act)  to take action to mitigate the risk and, if mitigation 
measures cannot be taken, is likely to be directed to leave New Zealand.   
(5) Deliberate  non-compliance with the requirements of this standard or negligence leading to non -
compliance will lead to increased intervention regim es (e.g. inspections or audits).  
Other information  
(6) A four year lead -in period from the date of issue to commencement o f enforcement of this standard is 
includ ed to allow shipping, and other vessel operators, time to make any adjustments needed to their 
hull maintenance regimes . Voluntary compliance is encouraged during the lead -in period.  
(7) A guidance document giving infor mation needed for complying with this standard will be available on 
the MPI website.  
(8) A vessel operator may submit, for MPI approval, a Craft Risk Management Plan  under section 24K of 
the Act  as an alternative to meeting the requirements of the CRMS .  Under the Act, such a plan must 
contain requirements that are equivalent to but different from those specified in the CRMS.  
 Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  4 of 8 Part 1:  Preliminary Provisions  
1.1 Application  
(1) This standard applies to the operator or person in charge1 of any vessel  that will anchor, berth or be 
brought ashore in New Zealand after a voyage originating outside New Zealand’s territorial waters2. It 
does not apply where a vessel has not entered the territorial waters of another country ever or since it 
was last verified as compliant3.  
(2) This standard applies to t he risk  of the introduction into New Zealand of harmful organisms carried as 
biofouling on the submerged or periodically submerged parts  of the hull4. 
1.2 The outcome this standard  is seeking to achieve  
(1) The outcome of this standard is to minimise the entry into New Zealand of those harmful organisms 
that constitute vessel biofouling5 or are harboured in the biofouling6.  
1.3  Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The followin g documents are incorporated by reference:  
i) 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) ), adopted 
on 15 July 2011 , or updates of these guidelines.  
ii) Approved Biosecurity Treatments MPI -STD-ABTRT, the current version at time of 
reference  
(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 th e documents  
in (1) above . 
                                                             
1 Any specific component of meeting the Requirements is expected to be carried out by an operator or  person in charge of the vessel  
– in particular, whoever has this type of a ctivity as part of their normal duties or responsibilities  in respect to the vessel   
2 See definition in Definitions (Appendix 1)  
3 Means verified by an MPI -approved provider following inspection of the hull   
4 See definition of ‘hull’ in Definitions (App endix 1)   
5 Such as algae, barnacles, mussels and oysters  
6 Such as free living worms, sea -stars, fish or shrimps  Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  5 of 8 Part 2:  Requirements  
2.1 ‘Clean Hull’ requirement  
(1) A vessel must arrive in New Zealand7 with a ‘clean hull’.   
(2) A hull is considered to be a ‘clean  hull’ when  no biofouling of live organisms is present other than that 
within the thresholds below.   
2.2 ‘Clean Hull’ thresholds  
(1) The following criteria are used in assessing whether a vessel has a ‘cl ean hull’ according to vessel 
category. There are  two different vessel categories and applicable biofouling threshold s. These are for 
1) long -stay vessels and 2) short -stay vessels and are explained below. The vessel category applies 
from time of arriving to New Zealand to time of departing New Zealand territory. The thresholds of 
allowable biofouling for each category are given in Tables 1 and 2.   
(2) The meaning of 'hull' (including various parts mentioned in Table 1 and 2 ) is given in Definitions 
(Appendix 1 ). 
a) ‘Long -stay vessels ’ means those vessels intending to remain in New Zealand for 21 days or  
longer , or those vessels intending to visit areas other than those designated under section 37 of 
the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act)  as ‘Places of First Arrival’.  
 
  Table 1: Biofouling Threshold for Long -Stay Vessels   
Hull part  Allowable biofouling  
All hull surfaces  Slime layer ; 
Goose barnacles   
 
b) ‘Short -stay vessels’  means those vessels intending to remain in New Zealand  for 20 days or 
less and to only visit places designated under section 37 of the Act as ‘Places of First Arrival’. 
These vessels generally remain under ‘biosecurity surveillance’ while in New Zealand territory 
rather than becoming fully cle ared of risk goods.  
 
  Table 2: 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 and no more than 50 mm in 
frond, filament or beard length ; 
Brown and red algal growth of no more than 4 mm in length;  
Incidental (maximum of 1%) coverage of one organism type of either 
tubeworms, bryozoans or barnacles, occurring as:  
 isolated individuals or small clusters; and  
 a single species, or what appears to be the same species.  
                                                             
7 Arrive in New Zealand, in relation to a vessel, means to anchor, berth , or come ashore in NZ territory after a voyage origin ating 
outside NZ territory   Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  6 of 8 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 one organism type of either 
tubeworms, bryozoans or barnacle s, occurring as:  
 isolated individuals or small clusters that have no algal 
overgrowth; and  
 a single species, or what appears to be the same species.  
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 one organism type of either 
tubeworms, bryozoans or barnacles, occurring as:  
 widely spaced individuals and/or infrequent, patchy clusters that 
have no algal overgr owth; and  
 a single species, or what appears to be the same species; and  
Incidental (maximum of 1%) coverage of a second organism type of 
either tubeworms, bryozoans or barnacles, occurring as:  
 isolated individuals or small clusters that have no algal 
overg rowth; and  
 a single species, or what appears to be the same species.  
 
Guidance  
Refer to the guidance document for illustrations and photo examples of the biofouling allowances.
  
 
2.3 Acceptable measures for meeting the standard  
(1) One of the following measures must be applied to meet the ‘Clean Hull’ requirement:  
a) Clean ing before visit to New Zealand,  (or immediately on arrival in a facility  or by a system, 
approved8 by MPI) . All biofouling must be removed from all parts of the hull and this must be 
carried out less than 30 days before arrival to New Zealand  or within 24 hours after time of arrival  
 
b) Continual Maintenance using best practice including:  application of appropriate antifoul coatings; 
operation of marine growth prevention  systems on sea -chests; and in -water inspections with 
biofouling removal as required. Following the IMO Biofouling Guidelines9 is recognised as an 
example of best practice   
 
c) Application of Approved Treatments10. Treatments are approved and listed under the  Approved 
Biosecurity Treatmen ts MPI-STD- ABTRT . 
 
Guidance  
As an alternative to the Acceptable Measures  above, a vessel operator may submit, for MPI approval, 
a Craft Risk Management Plan  under section 24K of the Act  (which includes steps that will be take n to 
reduce risk to the equivalent degree as meeting the requirements of this standard ) 
                                                             
8 Means approved as a transitional facility under section 39 of the Act  
9 The current version, including templates for biofouling management plans and records, can be read on MPI’s website here 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/policy -laws/intl/2011 -imo-guidelines.pdf .  
10 ‘Approved Treatment’ includes any treatment for meeting the outcome of standard that has received MPI approval and is listed on 
the MPI website.   Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 . 15 May 2014  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  7 of 8  
 
Guidance  
Refer to the Guidance Document for information on: how to apply for approval of treatments, 
requirements for approval of treatments, and list of generally available approved treatments and for 
examples of evidence of measures that can be presented on arrival to expedite clearance.   
 
2.4 Information requirements  
(1) Prior to arriving in New Zealand all operators of vessels must provide to MPI the following informati on 
(via the Advanced Notice of Arrival and associated documents).  
a) Intended length of stay within New Zealand territory and intentions in respect of places to be 
visited  
b) Whether the vessel has spent an y extended period s mainly stationary in a single locati on   
c) If the vessel is coming in to undergo biofouling cleaning on arrival, any formal arrangement for 
cleaning or treatment and whether they will be undertaken immediately upon arrival  (within 24 
hours)  
d) What measures have been or will be used to meet the r equirements of the standard, or  
e) Whether the operator has chosen to operate an MPI approved Craft Risk Management Plan 
(CRMP) as an alternative to meeting the requirements of the standard.  
 
(2) The following information (if relevant) must be held on the vessel  and provided to MPI in an 
appropriate form if requested. (This is in addition to information to be provided prior to arrival).  
a) Information on the antifouling regime and any marine  growth prevention systems used   
b) Whether applying the IMO Biofouling Guideli nes, including employing a biofouling management 
plan showing the hull maintenance and inspection regime and records of biofouling management 
kept, preferably consistent with the template in the IMO guidelines11  
c) If applicable to the vessel, its latest Inte rnational Anti -fouling System Certificate or International 
Anti-fouling System Declaration  
d) Date and reporting from the latest hull biofouling inspection (undertaken either on land or in -
water) that was initiated by the vessel operator . 
  
                                                             
11 The current version, including templates for biofouling management plans and records, can be read on MPI’s website here 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/policy -laws/intl/2011 -imo-guidelines.pdf .  Craft Risk Management  Standard :  Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New Zealand  
 . 15 May 2014  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  8 of 8 Appendix 1:  Definitions  
The following terms and definitions apply to this Standard.  Other terms used are as per the Biosecurity Act 
1993.  
algal growth  
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.  
biofouling  
The accumulation of aquatic organisms such as micro -organisms, plants and animals on surfaces and 
structures immersed in or exposed to the aquatic environment.  
goose barnacles  
Also c alled stalked barnacles or gooseneck barnacles, goose barnacles are ubiquitous foulers of tropical, 
subtropical and temperate seas, with a wide oceanic distribution that includes attachment to drift wood, 
floating plant debris and vessel hulls, as well as turtles and whales.  
harmful organisms  
Organisms that may cause unwanted harm to natural and physical resources or human health in New 
Zealand  
hull  
The immersed (including occasionally immersed) surfaces of a vessel including the following three parts.  The 
definition of hull i ncludes 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, 
susceptibili ty 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. Includes 
appendages.  
 wind and water line  
The area of the hull that is subject to a lternating immersion due to a vessel’s movement or loading 
conditions (also known in shipping as the Boot -top). 
IMO 
International Maritime Organisation  
New Zealand’s territorial waters  
The territorial sea and the internal waters which  together comprise th e sea surrounding New Zealand out to 
12 nautical miles from an internal baseline as described in the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and 
Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977.  
slime layer  
A layer of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and diatoms, and the  slimy substances that they produce.  
 
vessel or sea -craft  
Is 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; also includes: a barge, lighter, hovercraft or floating 
drilling rig. It does not include aircraft.