A Green MP says Whangamata harbour in the Coromandel should be quarantined until a mysterious sponge-like growth that has been killing shellfish has been identified and controlled.
The Greens' biosecurity spokesman, Ian Ewen-Street, said the Whangamata harbourmaster had reported that, since Christmas, the sponge had spread across more than half the
harbour, destroying mussels, oysters and barnacles.
"While we don't know exactly what it is, the sponge ... has the potential to destroy our marine farming industry, which is worth more than our wine industry.
"We can't risk having it transported on the hull of a boat to places such as the Marlborough Sounds," the MP said.
The efforts of the Ministry of Fisheries, scientists and the Waikato Regional Council in seeking to identify the growth - tentatively thought to be Didamnid ascidian - and simply hoping that it would decrease over time, were not enough, Mr Ewen-Street said.
"It may be that the sponge is essentially harmless and experiencing a bloom event, but the risk that it is something more serious is one we should not take."
He called on the Government to take control of the situation and eradicate the sponge before it grew into a serious problem like the painted apple moth, which had also started from similar small beginnings.
- NZPA
nzherald.co.nz/environment
