Indigenous biosecurity rangers detect exotic Asian mussel

The Hon David Littleproud MP
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia
  • One Asian green mussel was detected on a boat moored in Trinity Inlet, Cairns.
  • Asian green mussels are exotic to Australia and listed on the Australian Priority Marine Pest List.
  • Mussel was detected by Yirrganydji Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers.
  • A single exotic mussel has been detected by Indigenous rangers on a boat in Cairns.

    Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the detection was made on a boat that had been lifted from the water for cleaning.

    “Asian green mussel is a highly invasive marine pest, and we’re lucky this detection was made by Yirrganydji rangers who are on the look-out for these types of exotic pests,” Minister Littleproud said.

    “I’ve said for a long time that the monitoring and surveillance work Indigenous rangers do is crucial to keep Australia’s biosecurity safe, and this proves it. They are at the frontline.

    “Asian green mussels tend to muscle-out native species and can damage seawater infrastructure like pipes.

    “Now that the mussel is out of water and no longer presenting a biosecurity risk, we can get to work on the next step.

    “Biosecurity Queensland will work closely with Ports North and the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy to see if there are any more Asian green mussels in the area.

    “And the department is working on national biofouling regulations, which will make sure that we can keep exotic marine pests out of Australian waters.

    “Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, whether you are government, a business or just someone taking the boat out fishing for a weekend.

    “We can all play our part in keeping Australia safe, and I’m proud to see us coming together to do exactly that.”

    Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) occasionally arrives in Australia on the hull of ships travelling from Asian or Pacific ports.

    /Public Release. View in full here.