Marine Pest of the Week
Marine Pest of the Week
Marine Pest of the Week is a series that helps you recognise the pests threatening New Zealand’s waters, understand their impact, and learn how to protect our marine environment.
Red Seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis)
Why is it a problem?
Very similar to a New Zealand native, Asparagopsis armata which has harpoon-like structures on side bra...
Brought to you by:
Northern Pacific Sea Star (Asterias amurensis)
Why is it a problem?
The Northern Pacific sea star is a voracious predator that will feed on a wide variety of other marine ...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: The European Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas)
Why is it a problem?
In some areas where it has been introduced, the European shore crab can reach densities of up to 200 pe...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis )
Why is it a problem?
Know the difference and help protect our best boating spots!
In its introduced range, the Chinese mi...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Asian Shore Crab
Why is it a problem?
The Ministry for Primary industries says that this crab eat species that are important to our rocky int...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Asian Clam (Potamocorbula amurensis)
Why is it a problem?
The Asian clam can occur in very high densities; over 25,000 per square metre. In some parts of San Fra...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Asian Brown Mussel
Why is it a problem?
The Ministry for Primary Industries says that the green-lipped mussel is culturally and economically im...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Aquarium Caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia)
Why is it a problem?
The aquarium type is cold-tolerant, fast growing and, in natural environments, can form extensive, dens...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Clubbed Tunicate (Styela clava)
The clubbed tunicate prefers to grow on marine structures and boat hulls, affecting your boat’s performance and hitchhiking t...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week: Sea Squirt (Clavelina)
Clavelina oblonga and Clavelina lepadiformis are two types of sea squirt, or ascidian, that have recently established in New ...
Brought to you by:
Marine pest or native look-alike?
Know the difference and help protect our best boating spots.
With an army of boats out on the water this summer, it’s a g...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Asian Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida)
A fast grower that forms dense colonies on any hard surface - including your boat, shells, reefs, wharf piles, aquaculture st...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Exotic Caulerpa
These species of Caulerpa demonstrate aggressive overgrowth qualities when introduced outside of their native ranges. This qu...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Mediterranean Fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii)
With an ability to pack in 1,000 individuals per square meter, Mediterranean fanworm makes it difficult for other species in ...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Japanese Mantis Shrimp (Oratosquilla oratoria)
An aggressive competitor with a dangerous but impressive ‘karate chop’ ability to stun prey. It lives in burrows in the sand ...
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Eudistoma Australian Droplet Tunicate
With a slimy snot-like appearance this species can form big colonies on rocks. Intrigued? Read more.
Brought to you by:
Marine Pest of the Week – Asian Paddle Crab (Charybdis japonica)
The Asian Paddle Crab is in some parts of New Zealand we don't want it to spread.
Brought to you by: