Why is it a problem?
The Ministry for Primary Industries says that the green-lipped mussel is culturally and economically important to New Zealand.
If the Asian brown mussel got here, it would compete for food and space with green-lipped mussels.
Asian brown mussels thrive on human structures. They can create fouling problems in places like jetties, buoys, and boat hulls.
They could also bring new diseases to New Zealand that could harm our native shellfish.
How to identify this species
It’s difficult to tell the difference between this pest species and other mussel species in New Zealand. Learn more about this species and how to identify it on the MPI website – click here.
This pest is not known to be in New Zealand. If you see something suspicious, report it to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries.
From the team at Clean Below? Good to Go – visit marinepests.nz to get everything you need to know about marine pests ID, boats, rules and more.
