The discovery of Mediterranean fanworm at Ōpua has prompted renewed calls from biosecurity experts for boaties to be extra vigilant for unwanted marine pest hitchhikers.
Northland Regional Council biosecurity manager — marine and strategy Sophia Clark said officials had been alerted to the discovery of a single fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) by mooring contractors, growing on a mooring block opposite the Ōpua marina.
The council had deployed two teams of Northland-based diving contractors, who had recovered about a dozen more in three locations over a several-hundred square metre area.
Ms Clark said they had probably came from an unidentified infected vessel that, based on the size of some of the specimens, had potentially moored in the area some time ago.
Both the marina and mooring owners in the area had been notified of the find.