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Biosecurity New Zealand says it has contracted a Nelson company to research and test techniques that best kill newly-arrived marine pest sea squirt.
Sea Squirt has been confirmed in a number of North and South Island harbours, and has the potential to harm the country's shellfish industry.
Biosecurity NZ says the company will review international literature on treatment options, and then test how effective the techniques would be here.
The new marine pest was confirmed on 10 October and is considered a threat to New Zealand's rich marine farming industry.
The pest, also known as Styela clava, was originally found in September in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour and was then found to have spread to Lyttelton Harbour.
The find prompted concern there was no immediate action to rid the country of the exotic pest that could threaten our $300 million acquaculture industry.
The Mussel Industry Council says the sea creature is a serious threat to New Zealand's $200 million Greenshell mussel industry.
NIWA spokesperson Mike Page says the industry has good reason to
worry.
"[We've] certainly got cause for concern given its track record
overseas and the rate that it's spread."
Sea squirts spread so quickly because they spawn every 24 hours. It has caused huge losses to marine industries overseas as it smothers mussel ropes and affects oyster farms.
Sea squirt originated in Korea, but has now spread throughout much of the world. It is thought to have arrived in New Zealand on the hull of a boat.
Biosecurity New Zealand says there is no known method of eradicating the exotic marine pest and is working with Canadian researchers who have been trying, unsuccessfully, to eradicate the pest for at least seven years.
