The clean boats, clean ports framework guides the Protect our Islands programme for inter-island biosecurity. The framework suggests actions to prevent the spread of invasive species within Pacific island countries and territories.
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Introductory reading
If you are not familiar with prevention of the spread of invasive species in the Pacific, you can read these two Battler Guides available from the SPREP Battler Resource Base as a first step.
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What is the clean boats, clean ports framework?
Pacific island countries and territories collaborate for effective international prevention (Biosecurity/Quarantine). Biosecurity/Quarantine teams are mainly part of the Agriculture Ministry or Department based at international entry points. Effective inter-island prevention of invasive species spread can be difficult because of small workforces in distant islands and difficulties in keeping training up to date.
The Pacific islands region is a diverse place. Differences among countries and territories due to population size, number of islands, economic and development status all affect ability to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Not all countries face the same challenges or have the same needs. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach for to prevent the spread of invasive species is unrealistic. So, we have developed a regional approach that can incorporate this diversity. The clean boats, clean ports framework promotes flexible options that countries can adopt, depending on their unique circumstances.
One of the fundamental principles of preventing the arrival, reproduction and spread of invasive species is to manage risk at its source. The source of invasive species to outer islands is often the main port of entry or island that is home to the country’s capital. In this guide, we refer to this as the main island.
This is the basis for clean boats, clean ports: to manage invasive species risks at the main port(s) of entry. The framework uses a checklist as a tool to focus on steps to reduce the risk of invasive species:
To make the framework achievable clean boats, clean ports can be seen as a staged system for the range of actions that can be taken around a port and on local and inter-island boat traffic. While the main responsibility for clean boats, clean ports would be the existing Biosecurity or Quarantine teams, these teams can also involve other participants in biosecurity, such as environment officers and communities.
clean boats, clean ports checklist
Online survey assessment
Excel spreadsheet assessment
"All necessary steps"
Many countries have adopted the Model Law for biosecurity in the Pacific or based their legislation closely on the Model Law.
The Model Law has a clause that specifies:
"Environmental obligations of masters and captains
21. (1) The master of every incoming vessel must, while the vessel is in [NAME OF STATE] -
(a) take all necessary steps to prevent any animal on board the vessel from making contact with any animal on shore unless permitted by a biosecurity officer, and then only as directed by the officer;"
This clause provides an opportunity to enhance preventive steps required of vessels. However, to date, the full range of "necessary steps" has not been outlined. A next step for us is to compile a "best practice" list of these steps.
Example biosecurity plans, templates and other biosecurity resources
Pacific island countries and territories collaborate for effective international prevention (Biosecurity/Quarantine). Biosecurity/Quarantine teams are mainly part of the Agriculture Ministry or Department based at international entry points. Effective inter-island prevention of invasive species spread can be difficult because of small workforces in distant islands and difficulties in keeping training up to date.
The Pacific islands region is a diverse place. Differences among countries and territories due to population size, number of islands, economic and development status all affect ability to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Not all countries face the same challenges or have the same needs. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach for to prevent the spread of invasive species is unrealistic. So, we have developed a regional approach that can incorporate this diversity. The clean boats, clean ports framework promotes flexible options that countries can adopt, depending on their unique circumstances.
One of the fundamental principles of preventing the arrival, reproduction and spread of invasive species is to manage risk at its source. The source of invasive species to outer islands is often the main port of entry or island that is home to the country’s capital. In this guide, we refer to this as the main island.
This is the basis for clean boats, clean ports: to manage invasive species risks at the main port(s) of entry. The framework uses a checklist as a tool to focus on steps to reduce the risk of invasive species:
- At ports (and airports) and the areas around these sites in the main international arrival point, up to and including the whole island, and
- On boats, including smaller boats that operate locally, and larger ferries and cargo vessels that service distant islands.
To make the framework achievable clean boats, clean ports can be seen as a staged system for the range of actions that can be taken around a port and on local and inter-island boat traffic. While the main responsibility for clean boats, clean ports would be the existing Biosecurity or Quarantine teams, these teams can also involve other participants in biosecurity, such as environment officers and communities.
clean boats, clean ports checklist
Online survey assessment
Excel spreadsheet assessment
"All necessary steps"
Many countries have adopted the Model Law for biosecurity in the Pacific or based their legislation closely on the Model Law.
The Model Law has a clause that specifies:
"Environmental obligations of masters and captains
21. (1) The master of every incoming vessel must, while the vessel is in [NAME OF STATE] -
(a) take all necessary steps to prevent any animal on board the vessel from making contact with any animal on shore unless permitted by a biosecurity officer, and then only as directed by the officer;"
This clause provides an opportunity to enhance preventive steps required of vessels. However, to date, the full range of "necessary steps" has not been outlined. A next step for us is to compile a "best practice" list of these steps.
Example biosecurity plans, templates and other biosecurity resources
- New Zealand Department of Conservation inter-island biosecurity guidance for Pacific island countries
- Biosecurity guidelines for the Phoenix Islands Protected Area
- Biosecurity Plan for Ouvea Atoll, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
