What are marine pests?

Marine pests are species that are not native to New Zealand's oceans, but which may be introduced by human activities and harm our natural environments and resources.

Many hundreds of non-native species have been introduced to New Zealand waters, but not all of them are harmful. Most have arrived with shipping, either attached to the submerged surfaces of ships ("biofouling") or in the ballast water carried by large vessels to maintain stability.

On this page you can read about some of the world's worst marine pests that we are trying to keep out of New Zealand and some that have recently arrived here.

mbp block image 1

Not known to be in NZ

Green crab Woods size

Not known to be in NZ

EriocheirSinensis small

Not known to be in NZ

c amurensis lg d

Not known to be in NZ

caulerpa taxifolia small

Not known to be in NZ

Sabella small bright

Present in some areas of NZ

Eudistoma medium

Present in some areas of NZ

Styela close 720 x 500

Present in some areas of NZ

Musculista senhousia

Present in some areas of NZ

Charybdis small

Present in some areas of NZ

Undaria 720 x 500

Present in some areas of NZ