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Asian green mussel (Perna viridis)

Asian green mussel is an invasive marine pest detected in Australian waters near Weipa, far north Queensland. It may out-compete native species and affect aquaculture and other marine-based industries.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, invertebrate.

Native to: Indo-Pacific and South-East Asian regions.

Established in: QLD.

Identification

  • Young mussels vary in colour from brown, sometimes with stripes, to green.
  • Mature mussels are usually dark green-to-blue or green-to-brown, with a green margin.
  • They generally grow to 80 to 100 mm in shell length.
  • They can reach a maximum shell length of 160 mm.

Where it lives

In Australia, they have been detected on vessel hulls and marine infrastructure in waters near Weipa, far north Queensland.

Why it matters

  • They may out-compete native species.
  • They can foul vessel hulls, seawater systems, industrial intake pipes, wharves and buoys.
  • They can foul shellfish aquaculture stock and equipment, affecting aquaculture and other marine-based industries.

How it spreads

  • They can attach to vessels as biofouling and may be transported in vessel ballast water.
  • They can also be transported in internal seawater systems and on items such as aquaculture equipment.
  • Removing biofouling while a vessel is in the water can risk spreading potential marine pests.

Control methods

  • Biosecurity Queensland is conducting surveillance to determine the extent of the outbreak and inform management decisions.
  • Vessel owners should keep the exterior of their boat clean and manage biofouling.
  • Report unusual sightings in Queensland to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or through the online reporting form; elsewhere, contact the local biosecurity agency.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Keep the exterior of boats clean and manage marine growth attached to the vessel, including on propellers and rudders.
  • Where possible, remove vessels from the water before removing biofouling.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): Priority marine pest. On the Australian Priority Marine Pest List, agreed by all governments as a marine pest of national concern. National priority exotic pest. On the National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases, so any new detection should be reported straight away.
  • Queensland: Prohibited matter. Report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 within 24 hours and do not move or deal with it. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: Prohibited matter. It is an offence to deal with it, and you must notify NSW DPIRD as soon as you become aware of it.
  • Victoria: Noxious aquatic species. Declared a noxious aquatic species under the Fisheries Act 1995, so it must not be brought into Victoria, kept, sold, moved or released into waters. Report any sighting to the Victorian Fisheries Authority on 13 FISH (13 3474).
  • South Australia: Noxious species. Declared a noxious species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007, so it must not be brought into South Australia, kept, sold or released, and it must not be returned to the water alive. Report any sighting to PIRSA FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.
  • Western Australia: Noxious fish. Prescribed as a noxious fish under the Fish Resources Management Regulations 1995, so it must not be brought into WA, kept, sold or released. Report any sighting to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)

Sources