Check, Clean, Dry, Certify

The Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Plan 2020–2030 requires all public boat ramp users to certify that their boat is free from freshwater pests (where a self-certification checkpoint is present). 

Everyone can play their part by following the rules:

1. No person shall leave boat trailers in any water body other than for the purposes of launching and/or retrieving boats. 
2. No person shall transport ballast water from any water body to any other location. 
3. All occupiers of vessels or craft entering any water body within the Bay of Plenty shall check, clean and dry their vessels or craft (including trailers) to ensure they are free from freshwater pests including fragments.
4. All occupiers of vessels or craft using a boat ramp with a self-certification checkpoint must complete a supplied certification form. 
5. All recreational equipment (including fishing, diving, waterskiing, buoyancy equipment and waders) is free of freshwater pests. 

Check - for what is visible

Remove any visible matter, including any clams you can see, along with plant material or mud. Drain all river or lake water.

Clean - for what is not visible

Washdown your gear, vehicle, watercraft, and trailer that has been in contact with river or lake water with tap-water onto grass, beside the waterway or at home and not into a stormwater drain system. This will remove any remaining invisible material.

Treat residual water that always occurs when on-board ballast bladders or tanks have been pumped.

Cleaning options:

• Blast your gear and craft with tap water, not into a stormwater system or drain (onto grass).
• For absorbent materials, use one of these treatments*:
  • soak in hot tap water (50 to 55°C) for at least 5 minutes or
  • soak in 5% bleach solution (5-litre mix = 250ml bleach in 4.75 litres water) for an hour or
  • freeze till solid (overnight) or
  • soak in salt solution at 100ppt** (5-litre mix = 500g salt in 5 litres warm water) for 4 hours.
• For a full list of Biosecurity New Zealand-approved treatments, including options for situations where none of the above is suitable, view the table on the MPI website.

*Refer to manufacturer’s instructions if needed
** Parts per thousand

Dry - to be sure

Allow gear to dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days) before using again.

Dry areas inside the watercraft where water has pooled, for example with an old towel, and then leave the craft to dry for at least 48 hours (2 days). The hull of a watercraft will dry when towed.

Ways to self-certify:

• Online form.
• Paper form at boat ramps or Regional Council Offices.
• QR codes at boat ramps that link to the online form.
• Print out and complete the form if no forms are available at the boat ramp.