Compulsory regulations to protect native species

Biosecurity Measures for Visiting Vessels

Preface

The following Biosecurity Measures issued by the Tristan da Cunha Government come into immediate effect and set out a series of essential measures that all visiting ships must adhere to to prevent any introduction of damaging organisms that would threaten the Tristan Islands' important habitat. The document is also available as a donloadable PDF.

Downloadable PDF = Biosecurity Measures for Visiting Vessels

Introduction

Tristan da Cunha Government

Biosecurity Measures For Visiting Vessels

For the Attention of the Captain of all Visiting Vessels to Tristan and the Outer Islands

(Gough, Inaccessible, Nightingale, Alex and Middle Islands).

(vessels include cargo ships, cruise ships, yachts, fishing trawlers, oceanographic research vessels,
transport ships, Royal Navy etc.)

To protect the fragile ecology of Tristan and the outer islands, it is essential that all vessels understand fully the bio-security measures and protocols which they must implement before arriving into the Territory and during the course of their visit.

Ultimately all the bio-security regulations are underpinned by legislation. Failure to adhere to these regulations is an offence, which is likely to result in prosecution.

The initial fine for a biosecurity breach is £1,000 for any contaminated cargo/equipment or breach by a visitor, and £5,000 for any subsequent breach.

Why is biosecurity in Tristan and the outer islands particularly important?

The Tristan islands have many unique species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, but these could be threatened by the arrival of new species and novel diseases. Two of our islands are UNESCO World Heritage sites and have several critically endangered species.

We cannot afford any biosecurity breaches.

Every vessel and visitor has a valuable role and contribution to make in protecting this unique Territory. You must follow the Tristan da Cuhna Government’s biosecurity measures at all times, remain vigilant reporting any concerns immediately and help to educate and inform people about the risks faced and the long-term solutions.

**Each person going ashore at Tristan or any of the Outer Islands must be informed of Tristan da Cunha’s biosecurity measures and complete all the biosecurity checks, including the ‘Biosecurity Self-Audit Checklist and Declaration’**

For further information on biosecurity, contact:

Trevor Glass, Head of Conservation, Tristan da Cunha Government

Email: Trevor Glass <conservationt21@gmail.com>

Telephone: +44 (0)20 3014 5016

Details

Tristan da Cunha Government

Bio-security measures to be implemented by all vessels, passengers and visitors
to Tristan and the Outer Islands (Gough, Inaccessible, Nightingale, Alex/Middle Island).

These measures cover all cargo, stores, luggage, equipment and passengers
(passengers include returning Tristanians, tourists, expatriate workers, vessel crew,
expedition staff, scientists, forces personnel, etc.).

1. General Measures for Vessels:

The primary risk to terrestrial biodiversity associated with vessels (as opposed to the cargo they carry) is the potential for vessels to harbour rodents that are subsequently transferred ashore. The following general measures apply to ALL vessels that operate in Tristan da Cunha territorial waters i.e. within the 12 nautical mile limit around Tristan or any of its Outer Islands:

  • A valid Ship’s Sanitation Certificate must be maintained.
  • At least two rodent bait stations with poison bait must be carried on-board and regularly inspected by the Master.
  • If rodents are discovered on board, vessels are required to leave Tristan da Cunha territorial waters and to head to the most appropriate port for remedial action and for a new sanitation inspection. TDC Government must be satisfied that the infestation is cleared before approval to re-enter TDC territorial waters is granted.
  • Insect sticky traps should be placed in food storage areas, and replaced when necessary.
  • Where possible, electric UV insect killers should be used in food storage areas.

2. Prior to Departure from Home Port:

(i) Cargo/Luggage/Equipment

  • All cargo should be checked before leaving port - no plants, animals or soil may be brought ashore to Tristan or to the outer islands.
  • All building materials must be free from any invasive species and carry appropriate documentation to certify that they are free from contaminants.
  • Personal boxes and tote bins should be packed, sealed and stored prior to departure in a clean area free of weeds, invertebrates and rodents. Bins should ideally be packed during the day so as not to attract invertebrates with artificial light.

3. Before Landing:

(i) Cargo/Luggage/Equipment

  • TDC Government Officers will inspect the cargo and if invasive species or foreign contaminants are found, the cargo will not be allowed off the vessel and TDC Government will fine the company/supplier for contravening the biosecurity policy. The initial fine is £1,000.
  • All luggage and equipment to be brought ashore (such as daypacks, camera bags, tripods, walking poles etc.) must be thoroughly inspected and brushed out / vacuumed if necessary, to remove soil, seeds, invertebrates and any other organic matter prior to disembarking.

(ii) Personnel

a) The Visit Permit Holder on ships (normally the Captain, Expedition Leader or Environmental Officer) should vigilantly ensure that all passengers, staff and any crew going ashore, carry out the required biosecurity checks and complete the ‘Biosecurity Self-Audit Checklist and Declaration’ before landing (see below). Note: any infringement will lead to a fine of £1,000 per person.

b) The TDC Government Officer will inspect these. In the event that a vessel is permitted to undertake landings prior to arriving at Tristan (at Gough or any of the other outer islands), the Permit holder must contact the Head of the Conservation Department to confirm that all persons going ashore have completed the biosecurity checks and signed the declaration.

c) On merchant, MoD and fishing vessels, the Master, Chief Officer / Executive Officer or another senior officer must be responsible for overseeing this procedure.

Each person going ashore must:

  • Inspect all clothing prior to arrival at the Tristan islands, and again between landing sites.

  • Wash off and/or remove all soil, seeds and any other organic material from all clothes to be worn ashore.

  • Pay particular attention to all Velcro, socks, footwear, gaiters, pockets, turn-ups in trousers and hoods of jackets (pockets to be turned inside out). Special attention must be given to seams and pockets.

  • Clean and wash all external surfaces of any footwear that will be worn ashore (preferably with a biocide eg. Virkon).

  • Inspect all equipment – daypacks and camera bags must be brushed out and/or vacuumed to remove all soil, seeds and organic material before disembarking at the Tristan islands. Thereafter, visitors must inspect luggage and equipment between landings.

(iii) Boot Washing

  • Boot washing with a biocide (eg. Virkon) is obligatory for all passengers, staff and crew coming ashore (Virkon concentration required is 35g per 10ltrs of water).
  • Boot washing must be overseen by a designated competent member of staff / crew.
  • Boot washing facilities should be cleaned and refilled for each new landing. For this to remain effective, passengers and staff returning from the shore should wash off soil and organic material with seawater before embarking on the boat or helicopter to return to the ship.
  • TDC Government Officers will randomly inspect boot washing facilities and procedures on visiting vessels (including yachts).

4. After Landing:

  • Any cargo that has been brought ashore and is found to have invasive species or contaminants will be quarantined and either returned to the vessel or destroyed. Photographic evidence will be taken and TDC Government will fine the supplier of the material.
  • TDC Government Officers will carry out spot checks of all visitors’ clothing, footwear, luggage and equipment as they come ashore.

5. Prior to Returning to Vessels

  • Passengers and staff returning from the shore should wash off soil and organic material with seawater before embarking on the barge or helicopter to return to the ship.

Government of Tristan da Cunha

Biosecurity Self-Audit Checklist and Declaration

To be completed and signed by each person going ashore at Tristan or the Outer Islands

The Tristan Islands have many unique species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, but these could be threatened by the arrival of new species and novel diseases. One of the biggest threats to biodiversity is from invasive species, and all visitors can help in preventing new non-native species arriving in Tristan da Cunha or moving established non-natives between the islands.

It is imperative that all visitors to Tristan or to the Outer Islands
(Gough, Inaccessible, Nightingale, Alex and Middle Islands) meet their biosecurity obligations.

‘All visitors’ includes returning Tristanians, tourists, expatriate workers, vessel crew, expedition staff, scientists, forces personnel, and anyone (TdC resident or non-resident) visiting the outer islands.

Checks to  be carried out and completed forms handed in prior to disembarking:

1. Equipment inspection: rucksacks, day-bags, camera bags, walking poles, etc. must be brushed out and/or vacuumed to remove all soil, seeds and any other organic material before disembarking.

2. Clothing inspection: wash off and/or remove all soil, seeds and any other organic material. Pay particular attention to all Velcro, socks, pockets, turn-ups in trousers and hoods of jackets (pockets to be turned inside out).

3. Footwear cleaning: clean and wash external surfaces of all footwear that will be worn ashore (preferably with a biocide, eg. Virkon, concentration required is 35g per 10ltrs of water).

4. Personal luggage/cargo: suitcases, boxes, tote bins must be new or clean inside. They must be packed, sealed and stored in a clean area, free of weeds, invertebrates and rodents.

NAME: _____________________________________________

  • I have inspected my luggage and equipment prior to arrival at Tristan and/or the outer islands.
  • I have inspected all my clothing prior to arrival at Tristan and/or the outer islands.
  • I have washed my boots and all my footwear that will be worn at Tristan and/or the outer islands.
  • I am not bringing any plants, animals, or soil to Tristan or to the outer islands.

DECLARATION: I confirm that I have carried out the preventative measures outlined above, and that I have read and understood the Tristan biosecurity information provided on board my vessel.

I have complied with these measures to the best of my ability and I acknowledge that a failure to comply with these measures may result in an initial fine of £1,000, and a delay or disruption to my visiting Tristan or the outer islands.

SIGNED: ____________________________________________

DATED: ______________________________VESSEL: ______________________________

 

Downloadable PDF = Biosecurity Measures for Visiting Vessels