On 28 August, SPS staff attended the annual Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) symposium in sunny Tauranga.

It was a great day to catch up on both local and national biosecurity projects and learn about important work. From working with schools to get the importance of biosecurity ingrained from a young age, diving in the harbour to inspect boats and artificial reefs, to the emotional toll a biosecurity response can take.

SPS Biota's own Dominic Hartnett (above) even gave a presentation on the beetle trapping program we are running. Helping to find more efficient ways to trap and identify new to New Zealand beetles, particularly those affecting forest trees. With new technology, we are working on being able to identify trapped specimens using DNA metabarcoding, saving our scientists time by not having to check them each individually.

Getting involved in biosecurity outreach programs is a great way to spread the word and SPS Biota is always excited to get out and about, already looking forward to next year.