 
 
 
Craft Risk Management Standard 
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vessels 
CRMS Vessels 
13 October 2023 
 
 
 
 
 
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 20  TITLE 
Craft Risk Management Standard: Vessels 
COMMENCEMENT 
This Craft Risk Management Standard  comes into force on 13 October 2023  
 
Except for Clause 1.4(5)(d) of the Craft Risk Management Standard which comes into force on 18 months 
from the issuance of this standard.   
 
REVOCATION 
This Craft Risk Management Standard revokes and replaces the Craft Risk Management Standard: Vessels, 
issued on 16 October 2018, and Craft Risk Management Standard: Biofouling on Vessels Arriving to New 
Zealand, 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 29 September 2023 
 
 
 
Lisa Winthrop 
Director, Animal and Plant Health  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of 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 20  Contents Page 
Introduction 3  
Part 1: General requirements  6  
1.1 Application 6  
1.2 Definitions 6  
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference 6  
1.4 Required information 6  
1.5 Risk management 8  
Part 2: Specific requirements 10  
2.1 Short-stay vessels 10  
2.2 Long-stay vessels and other vessels 10  
2.3 Cruise vessels 11  
Part 3: Additional requirements for specific regulated pests 12  
3.1 Lymantria complex (formerly referred to as Asian gypsy moth (AGM)) 12  
Schedule 1: Definitions 13  
Schedule 2: Minimum evidence requirements for vessel biofouling inspections 15  
Schedule 3: Required locations for vessel biofouling inspections 18  
Schedule 4: Biofouling thresholds 19  
Schedule 5: Lymantria  complex* risk areas and risk periods 20  
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 3 of 20  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 territorial waters. It does not apply to the ballast water risks 
associated with a vessel. 
Background 
Vessels entering New Zealand territory 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 Zealand. 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 Act. 
This Craft Risk Management 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 may 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;  
• the vessels originate outside and arrive 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 imprisonment for a term not exceeding 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.   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 4 of 20  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. 
Deliberate non-compliance with the requirements of this standard 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 proposing alternative ways of managing the risks that this standard relates to. The Director-General 
will only approve a plan if satisfied that the alternatives proposed enable risks to be managed to at least the 
same extent as they are managed under this standard. 
Costs 
The costs to the New Zealand Government associated with implementing 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 thresholds to a schedule.  
3.0 13 October 2023  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, 
amendment to the Asian Gypsy Moth requirements, 
including name change and change to risk periods 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.  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 5 of 20  Where risk goods are present on a vessel that arrived from overseas, the person in charge of the vessel must 
follow every reasonable direction given by an inspector including to relocate the vessel or to manage the risk 
goods. 
Other relevant requirements for vessels include: 
a) The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and 
Sediments ; and 
b) Various import health standards managing the risks of goods imported for clearance. 
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 not 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 6 of 20  Part 1: General requirements  
1.1 Application 
(1) This standard applies to: 
a) All vessels that enter New Zealand territory after a voyage outside of New Zealand’s territory. 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 Sea .  
 
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 . 
 ‘Voyage’ is defined in Schedule 1.  
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 2023 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ Biofouling to 
Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (Resolution MEPC. 378(80)).  
b) Approved Biosecurity 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 clauses (2), (3) and 
(4) below is received by MPI 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 by an 
inspector.  
(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 7 of 20  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; and 
k) agent’s name and contact details, 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 all the ports of call in New Zealand, with ETAs and estimated time of departures (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 onboard; 
h) any goods 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 complex 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, live farmed fish, or bulk grain in the previous 3 
months; 
m) whether or not the vessel undertakes regular pest management; 
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; and 
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 this standard; or  
d) whether the operator or person in charge operates 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 growth 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; and 
d) the latest vessel biofouling inspection report (either conducted on land or in water) that meets the 
criteria in and is obtained in accordance with the process in Schedules 2 and 3. 
   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 8 of 20  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 operator or person in charge of any vessel must also ensure that when the vessel enters 
New Zealand territory, it has a ‘clean hull’ as per the thresholds set out in Schedule 4.  To do so, the 
operator or person in charge must use one of the acceptable measures set out 1.5(3). 
 
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 itinerary.  
 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) Continual maintenance using best practice: This includes application of antifouling coatings, 
operation of marine growth prevention systems and in-water inspections with biofouling removal 
as required. This measure is suitable for short-stay vessels only. 
b) Clean before arrival:  Inspect and if required, remove all biofouling found from all parts of the 
hull, including niche areas, less than 30 days before arrival to New Zealand.  
c) 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.  
d) Treat on arrival:  All available approved treatments are listed in Approved Biosecurity 
Treatments  (MPI-STD-ABTRT). This excludes 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. 
(2) A list of MPI-approved biofouling inspection providers  will be available on our website. 
(3) The resource document  Vessel biofouling inspections.  This contains Schedule 2 and 3 and includes 
guidance and resources relating to hull biofouling inspection requirements.  
(4) The IMO biofouling guidelines, the  2023 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ 
Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species.  
Guidance 
 Following the  IMO Biofouling Guidelines  is an example of best practice.   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 9 of 20   
(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 system 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 other 
than through use of an MPI-approved haul-out facility or MPI approved treatment. 
(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, the risk goods managed by 1.5(4)(a) includes 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 recycling) 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, mosquitoes, termites, 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 
 The document Approved Biosecurity Treatments  (MPI-STD-ABTRT) will be updated to include 
treatments once they are approved by MPI. 
 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. Information can be found on the MPI website .  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 10 of 20  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 28 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 those within the thresholds in Table 1 of 
Schedule 4. 
 
Guidance 
 If after arrival an operator or person in charge of a vessel wants to extend a vessel’s stay past 28 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 29 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 28 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 removed 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 those 
within the thresholds in Table 2 of Schedule 4. 
   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 11 of 20  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 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. 
 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 involve 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 biosecurity 
monitoring related to this CRMS. If risk goods are later discovered on one of these vessels, MPI still 
has powers under the Act to ensure the risk of these goods are managed.  
 Please note - some ecologically important areas are managed by other agencies (such as Department 
of Conservation 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) complies with long-stay requirements set out in Clause 2.2; or 
b) operates under an MPI-approved system to manage topside and biofouling risk.  
 
Guidance  
 Clause 2.3 is not suitable for chartered yachts. For more information on yachts, visit the MPI website.  
 Cruise vessels with specific itineraries may be able to achieve biofouling compliance using short-stay 
biofouling measures however, this would be incorporated into an MPI-approved system for the whole 
vessel's biosecurity management.  
 Due to the high volumes of risk goods found on board cruise vessels (i.e. food, plants, personal 
effects), using short-stay measures to manage topside risk is not an appropriate method for proving 
compliance.   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 12 of 20  Part 3: Additional requirements for specific regulated pests 
3.1 Lymantria complex (formerly referred to as Asian gypsy moth 
(AGM)) 
(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 following the most recent risk area visited in the relevant risk period. 
(4) A valid certificate of freedom from species of the Lymantria complex must be issued by an 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 the Lymantria complex are also commonly referred to as the flighted spongy moth complex. 
 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 location at least 4 nautical miles from land for the 
inspection. The operator will be responsible for the cost of inspection and any treatment of 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 13 of 20  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 section 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 means 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 the 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) live 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 barnacles  (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 immersed) 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., including appendages 
 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 Organization, a United Nations specialised agency, which is 
responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by 
ships.  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 14 of 20  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 moths (formerly Asian gypsy moth).  
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 types 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 section 3 of the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, 
and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977.  
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 galleys 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 International 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 releasing 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; contaminated 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, after having entered another 
country’s territorial waters and/or having spent a prolonged period in international waters. These vessels are 
also required to submit Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA) documents.  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 15 of 20  Schedule 2: Minimum evidence requirements for vessel 
biofouling inspections  
General requirements  
(1) The vessel operator, or person in charge of a vessel, must ensure that:  
a) a vessel biofouling inspection provider, prior to any inspection, is provided with copies of the 
vessel schematics indicating niche area locations and docking plan (i.e. placement of dry-docking 
blocks); or 
b) if for any reason the documents above cannot be obtained or are invalid, the vessel operator 
must discuss the arrangement with the vessel biofouling inspection provider to clarify presence or 
absence and general locations of niche areas. A record of either of the above must be kept; and 
c) the vessel biofouling inspection meets the “capturing evidence” requirements below (Schedule 2 
clause (2) through to Schedule 2 clause (8)); and  
d) when the inspection is completed, the vessel biofouling inspection report must meet the 
“reporting” requirements (Schedule 2 clause (9) and (10)) 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 one 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 photograph 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 at which the photos were taken 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 operate in low-light conditions 
without blurring images in individual frames.  Guidance 
 The following information relating to the vessel biofouling inspection requirements can be found on the 
MPI website:  
- The resource document  Vessel biofouling inspections also contains minimum evidence 
requirements and required inspection locations (Schedule 2 and 3 of this standard) and includes 
additional guidance and resources relating to hull biofouling inspection requirements. 
- A list of MPI-approved biofouling inspection providers. 
- Resources for vessel biofouling inspection providers. 
 The purpose of the inspection is not to estimate the abundance of individual species on the vessel (e.g. 
biomass, or numbers of individuals) but to provide evidence of the extent of fouling so MPI can 
determine whether it meets the “clean hull” definition. 
 Providing quantitative 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 vessel biofouling inspection may include, but is not limited to: 
 the vessel hull inspection provider undertaking a physical survey using underwater breathing 
apparatus (i.e. SCUBA or surface supply systems); or 
 the vessel hull inspection provider directing an underwater remotely operated vehicle (UROV).   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 16 of 20  (7) in low-visibility environments the vessel hull inspector must use adequate lighting and take additional 
photographs and footage of targeted areas to negate impacts on the quality of evidence. 
(8) All reasonable attempts must be taken to access and survey all submerged and relevant topside areas 
as thoroughly as possible. 
(9) 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  
(10) The vessel operator, or person in charge of a vessel, must provide MPI with the following when 
required, unless otherwise instructed by an MPI inspector:  
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  
– Range (minimum and maximum) of biofouling scores and description of the 
scoring system used. 
– Description of broad taxonomic groups present (e.g. barnacles, tube worms, 
macroalgae). 
ii) A minimum of one representative image of each required location (Schedule 3) that are of 
a size and quality which enables the viewer to identify biofouling to broad taxonomic 
groups (e.g. barnacles, tube worms, macroalgae). The representative image for each area 
must show the maximum level of fouling.  
(11) 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 labelled; and 
b) inspection plan outlining key locations identified for hull and niche areas, crew members 
consulted, and any other documents acquired for the planning process, e.g. vessel schematics, 
docking plan and internal seawater system schematics.  
  Guidance 
 The areas listed in Schedule 3 under “miscellaneous” are small in size, and so one photo and 
one video of each location is acceptable. 
 If an area listed in Schedule 3 was not inspected due to concerns relating to human health and 
safety or risk of damage to equipment, then it is advisable to collect evidence to support the 
reason the area was not inspected e.g. correspondence or signed statement from the vessel 
operator. 
 If an area in Schedule 3 is not present on the hull, it is recommended that evidence of this is in 
the report.  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 17 of 20  Guidance 
The resource document  Vessel Biofouling Inspections  contains Schedules 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 whether to provide additional reporting.  
Inspecting a vessel that has a notice of direction (NOD) with MPI directing it to be inspected: 
This guidance is only for vessel biofouling inspection providers in New Zealand. If you are asked to inspect 
a vessel by its operator or captain because a NOD has been issued for further evidence to be provided to 
MPI within a set timeframe, this means MPI needs prompt and direct reporting. In this situation, the vessel 
has not complied with other requirements in the craft risk management standard Vessels. Under a NOD, 
there is usually a tight deadline for the inspection, and so the reporting requirements in Part 4.3 above 
might not apply.  
In this situation, follow the instructions from the MPI inspector. The MPI inspector may require: 
a)     the photos captured as specified in this schedule 
b)     the signed and completed vessel checklist and reporting form as per this schedule presented 
in a clear format 
c)     video footage and CCTV recordings   
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 18 of 20  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 Specific to vessel type 
Rudder leading edge Rudder leading edge Port  Starboard Moon pool 
Rudder vertical 
hinge/post gap Rudder vertical 
hinge/post gap Hull wind/water line Hull wind/water line Port stabilisers 
Rudder port flat side Rudder port flat side Hull vertical deep Hull vertical deep Starboard stabilisers 
Rudder stbd. flat side Rudder stbd. flat side Hull flat bottom Hull flat bottom Port lateral thrusters 
Rope guard, external Rope guard, external Dry-docking blocks Dry-docking blocks Starboard lateral thrusters 
Rope guard, internal Rope guard, internal Sea chests, internal Sea chests, internal Stern roller 
Rudder top Rudder bottom Sea chests’ gratings Sea chests’ gratings Box cooler chest gratings 
Stern tube Stern arch Bow thruster grating Bow thruster grating Box cooler chest internal 
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 with the required inspection 
locations of the hull, can also be found in the  resource document  Vessel Biofouling Inspections .  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 19 of 20  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 overgrowth  
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 20 of 20  Schedule 5: Lymantria  complex* risk areas and risk periods 
* Formerly commonly referred to as Asian gypsy moth (AGM), now commonly referred to as the flighted 
spongy moth complex (FSMC). 
 
Risk area Requirements apply where vessel visited any of these 
ports  Specified risk period 
Russian Far 
East south of 60° 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, Totto ri, 
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  
 