Pest still invading Prom
Ocean pest: Parks Victoria operations officer Matt Hoskins with one of almost 130 Northern Pacific Seastars from Tidal River in Wilsons Promontory.
PARKS Victoria divers have removed 129 Northern Pacific Seastars from the Tidal River Estuary since late last week.
Operations officer Matt Hoskins said extensive searches in nearby estuaries, beaches, inlets, and in offshore areas have found no sign of the spread of Northern Pacific Seastars.
The incident team also surveyed Shallow Inlet and found no signs of the notorious marine pest.
“So far, all of the dives in the waters surrounding the Prom have found no additional Northern Pacific Seastars incursions,” Mr Hoskins said.
“All of the seastars we have located were found in the Tidal River estuary – still in great numbers, which does remain a concern.”
Northern Pacific Seastar females can produce from 10 to 25 million eggs per year.
“From July to October larvae remain in the water column for up to 120 days, providing a huge opportunity for spread to new areas through the water movements along the coast,” Mr Hoskins said.
“It is a voracious predator feeding on a wide range of native animals and can have a major effect on the native, and commercially important, shellfish populations that form part of the marine food chain. They directly compete with many fish, including snapper, which use native shellfish as a source of food.”
Mr Hoskins said the use of all water vessels including kayaks and canoes in Tidal River is strictly prohibited until further notice.
“The precautionary limitations on swimming and fishing have been lifted, however the use of all water vessels including kayaks and canoes in Tidal River remains strictly prohibited until further notice,” he said. “Operations will focus on Tidal River for the foreseeable future. We’re treating this infestation as seriously as we would a fire or flood emergency. It is very important for people who love the Prom and its surrounding waterways.”
Mr Hoskins said the team would work through management options while manual removal of the Northern Pacific Seastars continued with professional diving teams.
Marine pests including the Northern Pacific Seastar are easily spread from one part of the coast to another by people.
Boats, kayaks and canoes, wetsuits, fishing gear, and other equipment that remain wet can spread fertilised eggs, larvae, or small animals or plants, to new locations.
All equipment used in marine areas should be washed in fresh water after use then thoroughly dried to reduce the risk of spreading marine pests.
This is particularly important for people moving any equipment used in areas like Port Phillip Bay to other areas such as the Prom.
Sightings of suspected Northern Pacific Seastars outside of Wilsons Promontory National Park or Port Phillip Bay can be reported to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) customer service centre on 136 186.
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