| Collecting
algae in New Zealand |
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If
you wish to collect algae in New Zealand for scientific purposes
(education or investigative research) you will require a special
permit under Section 97 (1) of the Fisheries Act. Special permit
application forms can be obtained from Christine Bowden at the
Ministry of Fisheries (email christine.bowden@fish.govt.nz
or phone (64-03-545 7762). Special permit applications for investigative
research must include a robust research proposal (objectives
and methodology) that meets approved scientific standards. Special
permit applications for education must be accompanied by a detailed
proposal listing the species, area of activity, and quantity
of aquatic life proposed to be
taken.
Applicants should note that special permits incur an hourly
processing charge of $133.88 NZD (regardless of whether the
application is approved or declined). (Most straightforward
applications take around 5-10 hours to process and evaluate,
equating to a fee between $670 and $1330 NZD. The reason it
usually takes 5-10 hours is because the Ministry will only issue
a special permit when we are satisfied the proposed activity
is consistent with the purpose and principles of the Fisheries
Act and the purpose under which the application is lodged. Even
for a simple application, it takes time to analyse the proposed
activity, and draft an assessment and permit (if the recommendation
is to approve).
Applications should be submitted at least 2 months before the
activity is required. It is a good idea for potential applicants
to discuss their proposal with the Ministry as soon as they
have an idea of what they want to collect (species, quantity
and location) to see whether their proposal would likely be
successful.
If you are planning to collect seaweed that will be used for
commercial purposes it is not possible to collect under amateur
fishing regulations for commercial purposes and it is not possible
to get a fishing permit to take commercially. It is recommended
that you contact the Ministry of Fisheries to clarify the situation
with respect to seaweed. You may be able to purchase stock through
either a Licensed Fish Receiver, a commercial fisherman or from
a licensed marine or land based fish farm. |
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In
addition if delegates are intending to collect specimens from
a marine reserve they need a permit from the Department of Conservation.
If collecting from a marine reserve they need to apply for a
permit to collect from a marine reserve by contacting the appropriate
Conservancy Office, preferably within 2 months of their proposed
collection, for an application form. Note that any permit would
need to cover instances where epiphytic species are collected
(for example, if a species of interest is growing on a stone
or mollusc, the permit would need to cover these collections).
Link to information and maps of marine reserves:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/summary.aspx?id=33776
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| Field
Equipment/Biosecurity |
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If
you are planning to bring any field equipment into New Zealand
(wetsuits, collecting bags, fishing gear) this will need to
be declared and checked by MAF border protection for any sediment,
plant or animal material or retained water. The equipment must
be visibly clean and visibly free from contamination with organic
material and all parts of the equipment must be completely dry
on arrival to New Zealand.
If not clean and dry, articles may be taken away for treatment
and may not be returned to you for a few days in which case
there would be a cost for treatment and postage. Treatments
vary depending on the airport where you arrive and include soaking
in hot water, treatment with bleach or hydroxide.
There are fines for non declaration of outdoor equipment, food
items and any specimens, wood items and natural items such as
feathers, straw etc. |
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| CITES
permits are needed for any species listed in the Trade In Endangered
Species Act Schedules - contact Wilbur Dovey: wdovey@doc.govt.nz;
or Shaun O'Connor: smoconnor@doc.govt.nz.
DoC website for CITES info:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/summary.aspx?id=42610
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