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European fan worm (Sabella spallanzanii)

European fan worms are introduced marine pests established at sites across southern Australia, including ports and marinas. Dense populations can form a canopy over the seafloor and compete with native marine life for food and space.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, invertebrate.

Native to: Mediterranean and southern European Atlantic coast.

Established in: NSW, VIC, SA, WA.

Other names: Mediterranean fanworm, fan worm.

Best time to act: Inspect sheltered ports and marinas whenever safe access allows, and arrange assessment and treatment promptly after detection.

Identification

  • This large tube-dwelling worm can grow to about 50 cm long.
  • Its crown has two lobes with many feathery radioles; one lobe is spiralled and the other is circular or semicircular.
  • The crown may be dull white or brightly banded in colours such as orange, purple and white, and can reach 10 to 15 cm across.
  • Its tough, leathery tube is often wrinkled near the base and may be attached to rock or small shell fragments in muddy sediment.
  • When disturbed, the worm can withdraw its crown completely into its tube.
  • Look-alike: Other tube-dwelling fan worms can look similar; the European fan worm's large crown with one spiralled lobe and one unspiralled lobe is a useful identification feature.

Where it lives

In Australia it occurs in sheltered, disturbed marine waters, especially nutrient-rich ports and marinas, on rocky or muddy seabeds and in areas with boat movements or dredging.

Why it matters

  • Dense populations can create a canopy of branchial fans over the sediment.
  • As a filter feeder, it can compete with native suspension feeders for food and space.
  • Its growth on submerged surfaces can contribute to marine fouling and affect habitats around ports and marinas.

How it spreads

  • Domestic and coastal shipping are recognised potential pathways for movement between Australian ports.
  • The species is established in southern Australia and has been recorded in Botany Bay, Twofold Bay, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.
  • New Zealand has also been considered a possible source for the Botany Bay populations.

Control methods

  • Report suspected new populations promptly to the relevant state or territory biosecurity agency and follow its directions.
  • For small populations, trained crews may physically remove worms and tubes using methods approved for the site, containing removed material so it cannot return to the water.
  • Use only control methods authorised by the relevant agency and site manager; herbicides are not suitable for this animal.
  • Reinspect treated sites and nearby surfaces, as populations can persist or reappear.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Before moving between waterways, inspect boats and marine equipment, remove attached organisms and dispose of them on land rather than back into the water.
  • Clean and dry gear where practicable, and do not transfer water, sediment or fouling material between sites.
  • 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): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • 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: Notifiable aquatic pest. It must not be possessed, bought, sold, moved or released in NSW, and you must notify NSW DPIRD within one working day of finding it. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • 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. This applies in any area of the State except in the West Coast Region and the South Coast Region. Report any sighting to FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
  • Tasmania: Declared pest. It is a declared pest under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas). Report sightings to Biosecurity Tasmania and follow any management requirements.
  • 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.

  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Victoria: Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic), administered by Agriculture Victoria
  • South Australia: Landscape South Australia Act 2019 (SA), administered by the regional landscape board
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sources