Stamp out fanworm before it establishes

It can quickly form dense colonies out competing other organisms with tubes growing up to 80cm, producing up to 1,000 tubes per square metre.

They grow predominately on hard surfaces including boat hulls, marine structures and the sea floor.

Fanworm has the potential to be costly to vessel owners, marine farmers and port companies as it can be very difficult and expensive to remove and can compete with mussels for food, Council’s Senior Biosecurity Officer Liam Falconer said.

“It’s already well established in Auckland, the upper North Island and Lyttleton, and therefore can easily arrive on boats coming here as we’ve seen in the past,” Liam said. “Fanworm can take hold quickly, if anyone suspects they have seen it, they should contact Council's Biosecurity team immediately.”

Mediterranean fanworm has previously been detected in Marlborough following routine inspections by Council contracted divers. It has generally been found on boat hulls in areas missed with antifoul or in high wear areas where it had rubbed off Liam said.

“Our extensive surveillance programme has indicated we don’t have any established populations in Marlborough and the long-term goal is to keep it that way,” he said. “It is an offence to knowingly bring Mediterranean fanworm into Marlborough.”

If you haven’t prepared your vessel correctly and you’re travelling to the upper north, it’s highly likely that you will bring fanworm home with you.

Working with the marine farming industry and marina operators was a valuable tool in preventing Mediterranean fanworm spread, Liam said.

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