Extract from the Executive summary:

Biofouling on recreational boats can unintentionally spread marine pests and the extent to which operators undertake good biofouling management practices on their vessels affects the level of risk of spreading these pests. Recreational vessel hull biofouling is the main vector of marine pest spread within the Auckland region. The large number of recreational vessels and vessel owners in Auckland which has the most vessels per capita in the world—makes management, monitoring, enforcement and communications challenging.

In early 2019, Auckland Council commissioned Cawthron Institute to explore the behavioural motivations of recreational boat operators to undertake good biofouling management practices. This report comprises three components:

• A review of social science literature relating to recreational marine biosecurity behaviour change
• A review of Auckland Council’s policies, rules and other programmes relating to recreational marine biosecurity risk management, and
• 10 interviews and a focus group with stakeholders of Auckland’s recreational boating system.

A literature review of social science studies finds little published research in this area, both globally and within New Zealand. ...

Cawthron Institute, November 2019