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Marine pests
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Do you know your clubbed tunicates from your Mediterranean fanworms?
Marine pests like these are sneaking into Otago’s waters, posing a serious threat to our native species, marine industries, and treasured coastlines. ORC is developing a Marine Biosecurity Programme to combat these invaders and protect Otago's marine paradise. With the help of iwi, communities, and local partners, we’re taking action to stop these pests before they spread. Let’s work together to keep Otago’s waters safe and pest-free!
Through the Protect Our Paradise campaign, we’re raising awareness and providing simple steps everyone can take to help keep marine pests out of our waters.
Asian paddle crab
Management: Unwanted Organism | Asian paddle crabs have a 12 cm shell, paddle-like hind legs, and spines on their claws and shell, with colours ranging from pale-green to chestnut-brown; they inhabit estuaries and coastal zones.
Clubbed tunicate
Management: Unwanted Organism | Styela clava, or clubbed tunicate, is a long, club-shaped marine animal that can grow up to 160 mm, featuring a knobbly surface, two siphons on top, and is typically found attached to various structures in shallow waters.
Exotic caulerpa
Management: Unwanted Organism | Exotic Caulerpa has green, oar blade-shaped fronds up to 10 cm long, growing from horizontal stems that form dense mats on the seafloor.
Mediterranean fanworm
Management programme: Unwanted Organism | The Mediterranean fanworm is a tube-dwelling worm with a leathery appearance, growing up to 80 cm and featuring a large spiral of colourful feeding tentacles.
Undaria
Management: Unwanted Organism | Undaria is an invasive seaweed that grows 1 to 2 meters long. It has a crinkly texture and comes in brown, green, and yellow colours, with a noticeable midrib and a spiral structure at the base.
