REHABITAT

NZ's Marine Solution for Invasive Caulerpa

At Commercial Dive Specialists (CDS), we’re leading the charge to eliminate exotic Caulerpa from New Zealand's coastal waters.

Initially self-funded, and then with the support of MPI, we've developed a tool to do just that. Rehabitat is a fast scalable underwater treatment system that uses targeted chlorine dosing to neutralise Caulerpa on contact while protecting native ecosystems.

Proven in live field trials and backed by scientific consensus, Rehabitat offers a breakthrough biosecurity solution built specifically for New Zealand marine conditions. Portable, precise, and ready to deploy, it represents the nation’s best opportunity to stamp out Caulerpa before it unleashes widespread environmental and economic damage.

Watch Rehabitat in Action

Omakiwi Cove Trials

See the latest pics from our field tests below.

Latest Field Trial Updates

Stay informed with updates from our fight against Caulerpa.

Mahurangi Matters covers the fight against Caulerpa

May 16

FAQs on Using Rehabitat to Treat Invasive Marine Species

Mar 27

The Safe Use of Chlorine in Marine Biosecurity

Mar 17

“We’re Just Getting Started,” says Brook McRae after promising early trials to combat Caulerpa.

Mar 1

CDS Secures Government Grant to Pioneer Breakthrough in Marine Biosecurity

Dec 10, 2024

How the Rehabitat Chamber Works:

Chamber deployment: the Rehabitat is placed directly over affected seafloor area
Chlorine treatment: a calibrated dosage is introduced via an enclosed system
Containment: the chamber holds the treatment in place, preventing spread
Removal and repeat: once neutralised, the unit is moved to the next affected area

Key Features

Targets invasive Caulerpa using controlled chlorine treatment
Designed and tested in NZ with support from MPI
Deployable in high-risk coastal zones for localised containment
Portable & scalable — suitable for rapid response or long-term deployment
Minimises ecological disruption while protecting marine biodiversity
Backed by trial data and active biosecurity applications

Why Rehabitat Matters

New Zealand’s coastal ecosystems are under increasing threat from invasive marine species like Caulerpa, which spreads rapidly, displacing native biodiversity and disrupting natural habitats. Once established, it becomes extremely difficult and costly to remove.

Rehabitat was developed as a targeted, scalable response to this growing crisis. Unlike traditional broad-spectrum methods, Rehabitat offers precise containment and chlorine treatment, allowing divers to directly neutralise Caulerpa outbreaks. The dead Caulerpa disintegrates and dissolves with the ocean's movement, and in our field trials at Omakiwi Cove we have been seeing the sandy seabed again within a few weeks.

Backed by field trials in the Bay of Islands and developed with support from MPI, Rehabitat gives iwi, councils, and biosecurity agencies a deployable tool designed specifically for New Zealand marine conditions.

Interested in Rehabitat?

Please email our team or contact Brook on 021 731 775.

Other Innovations

The Rehabitat sits alongside other underwater technological innovations our team has created:

Rapid Data Collection (RDC) units: Our RDC systems enable real-time monitoring of underwater environments, providing critical data for research, conservation, and operational decision-making.

Underwater Communications Hub: Enhancing connectivity beneath the waves, this hub offers reliable communication channels for divers and remote-operated vehicles, improving safety and coordination during underwater operations.

Mini Dredges: Designed for precision and efficiency, our mini dredges facilitate targeted sediment removal, supporting various marine construction and maintenance projects. Funded by NRC and deployed by CDS.