Marine Pests: Look—Report—Protect
Marine pests are introduced invasive, non-native plants and animals that cause damage to the health of the native marine environment. They often reproduce quickly, in large numbers and can spread rapidly.
Once established, they are difficult to eradicate and can kill or out-compete native plants and animals for space and food. They can damage boat hulls, increase drag and fuel costs, and foul marine structures leading to increased maintenance costs. They can also impact widely on marine industries including ports and marinas, the commercial and recreational fishing industry and can lead to boating and fishing restrictions in affected areas.
Queensland is currently free from invasive marine pests and keeping Queensland’s marine environment pest-free is a priority for Biosecurity Queensland. Protecting Queensland’s marine ecosystems from pests should also be a priority for anyone who uses or enjoys the marine environment.
The most effective way to minimise the impact of marine pests is to prevent them from arriving. Early detection and response is the best chance we have to successfully contain and manage marine pests and protect our marine environment, key marine industries including, ports, marinas, commercial fisheries, tourism and aquaculture and our way of life.
Marine biosecurity—everyone plays a part
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility which is why Biosecurity Queensland is asking users of Queensland’s marine environment to keep an eye out and report suspected marine pests.
This will help protect Queensland’s marine biodiversity and minimise the risk of pests establishing in Queensland’s marine environment.
Seven invasive pest species with the highest chance of arriving and establishing in Queensland waters have been identified:
- Asian green mussel (Perna viridis)
- Black striped false mussel (Mytilopsis sallei)
- Asian bag mussel (Arcuatula senhousia)
- Brown mussel (Perna perna)
- Harris mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii)
- Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
- Japanese seaweed/Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida)
Two introduced marine pest species are established in Queensland waters:
- White colonial sea squirt (Didemnum perlucidum)
- Black scar oyster (Magallana bilineata)
Everyone can do their bit to report suspected marine pests and respond quickly before they spread.
Look—Report—Protect
Look
Look around and keep an eye out. If you see or suspect a pest plant or animal, report it.
Report
If you see a suspected marine pest:
- Take a photo of the suspect marine plant or animal.
- Collect a sample if it is safe to do so. Biosecurity Queensland can advise you on how to collect, pack and send samples.
As a general rule:- place the sample in a plastic container or bag such as a sandwich zip lock bag
- store the sample in the refrigerator or keep it on ice (do not freeze)
- contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 about how to package a specific sample and where to send it for identification.
- Report the marine pest sighting online or phone 13 25 23.
Protect
Don’t introduce or spread pests. Marine pests can unknowingly be attached to your boat or in a ship’s ballast and be transported long distances. Surveillance and good maintenance will help minimise the threat.
Contact us
- Use our online form to report a marine pest
- Email us at marinepests@daf.qld.gov.au
- Phone us on 13 25 23
What you can do
Be aware of possible marine pests
- Keep a guide handy to identify marine pests (PDF, 2.8MB) when cleaning your boat and when out in the marine environment.
Check your boat for fouling regularly
- Clean your boat regularly, preferably in a dry dock or slipway, and when moving between locations.
- Look out for pests, paying attention to high-risk areas (see diagram under ‘Every Queenslander plays their part’).
- Flush internal seawater systems regularly with freshwater or use an approved treatment.
Dispose of waste responsibly
- Remove marine fouling growing on the boat and treat it as a potential biosecurity risk.
- Safely dispose of marine fouling in an onshore rubbish bin.
- Seafood and bait from non-local areas should be disposed of in an onshore rubbish bin.
Inspect and clean equipment and gear
- Before moving to a different location, inspect, clean and dry marine equipment and gear including pots, nets, fishing or diving gear, anchors and ropes.
- If possible, dry your equipment for at least 48 hours before using it in a different area.
Apply antifouling paint to your boat
- Apply antifouling paint correctly and as required by the manufacturer.
- Keep a record in a log book of all work done to your boat.
Every Queenslander plays their part keeping boats free of marine pests
All it takes is one boat to introduce or spread a marine pest.
Clean your boat regularly looking out for marine pests on structures and surrounds. Pay attention to high-risk areas such as:
- deck fittings
- bow thrusters
- bilge tanks and sewage
- cooling pipes
- keel
- sewage tanks
- rudder
- sonar tubes, echosounder booths and transducers
- propeller and shaft
- trailer
- water outlet
- live wells and bait box
- anchor and anchor well.
In-water cleaning
Cleaning of boats in the water should only be undertaken when cleaning of the vessel out of the water is not operationally practicable; and only when removal of biofouling:
- does not harm the anti-fouling coating
- presents an acceptable biosecurity or contaminant risk as determined by the authorities.
In Queensland, the relevant authorities are Biosecurity Queensland and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
Check advice in the Australian Government’s anti-fouling and in-water cleaning guidelines on when in-water cleaning may be acceptable.
Contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 and DES on 13 74 68 for notification and approval processes.
More information and resources
- Download the Queensland marine pest and disease guide (PDF, 2.8MB).
- Read Australian Government information on Marine Pests.
- Download the printable material below:
- Watch the videos below on marine pests: