Asian green mussel

Marine species not currently found in South Australia.

The Asian Green Mussel is a marine mollusc that:

• forms dense colonies
• competes for food and habitat with native species
• listed as an Australian Priority Marine Pest
• arrived in South Australia on ships arriving from Asian or Pacific ports and been removed
• attaches to niche areas (such as around rudders, sea chests)
• clogs seawater intake pipes.

Declared noxious under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Noxious species are a severe threat to the natural environment and industries. They cannot be held or traded in South Australia without specific authorisation and must not be returned to the water if caught.

What to look for:

• juvenile is bright green
• older shells are dark green to brown, may have green edges to shells
• smooth with evenly spaces (concentric) grooves
• generally found when 8-16 cm long.