Invasive species can devastate local ecosystems and outcompete native species when able to establish in areas outside their native range due to spreading through human activities, primarily shipping and aquaculture. A number of invasive species are noted as particularly damaging: Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii), Australian droplet tunicate, (Eudistoma elongatum), clubbed tunicate (Styela clava), Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia), Asian paddle crab, (Charybdis japonica), Wakame Asian Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida), and Caulerpa spp. Caulerpa spp. is of particular recent interest due to additional sightings at Aotea/Great Barrier and in the Bay of Islands. A high-risk area to monitor for additional Caulerpa spp. sightings is also shown.

These maps were created from data available through the Marine Biosecurity Porthole (https://marinebiosecurity.org.nz/what-are-marine-pests/), which has additional information about each species, and uses information from the Port Biological Baseline Surveys (PBBS) and the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance (NMHRSS), other verified observations are from published literature, unpublished technical reports, biosecurity databases, and records held by the Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service and research taxonomists.

Limitations:

These maps are strongly biased by survey locations, which tend to be focused near ports and may not be complete, correct or up to date but offer the most comprehensive view of non-native species in New Zealand’s marine environment. The PBBS were conducted from 2001 and 2007 and NMHRSS occur every 6 months.

Reference:

Marine Biosecurity Portal (2023) Enhanced species search for Eudistoma elongatum, accessed (2 June 2023), available online at https://www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz/search-for-species/

Seaward, K., Acosta, H., Inglis, G.J., Wood, B., Riding, T., Wilkens, S., Gould, B. (2015) The Marine Biosecurity Porthole - a web-based information system on non-indigenous marine species in New Zealand. Management of Biological Invasions, 6: 177-184. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2015.6.2.08

Invasive species can devastate local ecosystems and outcompete native species when able to establish in areas outside their native range due to spreading through human activities, primarily shipping and aquaculture. A number of invasive species are noted as particularly damaging: Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii), Australian droplet tunicate, (Eudistoma elongatum), clubbed tunicate (Styela clava), Asian date mussel (Arcuatula senhousia), Asian paddle crab, (Charybdis japonica), Wakame Asian Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida), and Caulerpa spp. Caulerpa spp. is of particular recent interest due to additional sightings at Aotea/Great Barrier and in the Bay of Islands. A high-risk area to monitor for additional Caulerpa spp. sightings is also shown.

These maps were created from data available through the Marine Biosecurity Porthole (https://marinebiosecurity.org.nz/what-are-marine-pests/), which has additional information about each species, and uses information from the Port Biological Baseline Surveys (PBBS) and the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance (NMHRSS), other verified observations are from published literature, unpublished technical reports, biosecurity databases, and records held by the Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service and research taxonomists.

Limitations:

These maps are strongly biased by survey locations, which tend to be focused near ports and may not be complete, correct or up to date but offer the most comprehensive view of non-native species in New Zealand’s marine environment. The PBBS were conducted from 2001 and 2007 and NMHRSS occur every 6 months.

Reference:

Marine Biosecurity Portal (2023) Enhanced species search for Eudistoma elongatum, accessed (2 June 2023), available online at https://www.marinebiosecurity.org.nz/search-for-species/

Seaward, K., Acosta, H., Inglis, G.J., Wood, B., Riding, T., Wilkens, S., Gould, B. (2015) The Marine Biosecurity Porthole - a web-based information system on non-indigenous marine species in New Zealand. Management of Biological Invasions, 6: 177-184. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2015.6.2.08