BIA Victoria - Pests in Victoria

Pests in Victoria

Port Phillip Bay is home to at least 99 introduced marine species, including seastars ,worms, weeds, and crabs. It’s been estimated that the actual number of introduced species in the Bay is 300 – 400. Outside Port Phillip there are very few pests along Victoria’s coast.

Port Phillip has many introduced species because of its longstanding role as a shipping port.

Since the 1700’s, ships have been coming to Melbourne from international and interstate ports. They often arrive with unwelcome hitchhikers on board – marine animals and plants stuck to the hull, tangled in propellers, or carried in the bilge or sea chests. If they are pumped out or fall off while the ship is docked in our waters, the introduced species can establish here and compete with our native plants and animals.

Shipping is now heavily regulated to help stop pests spreading, but ships are not the only problem…

Fishing boats, yachts, dinghies and cruisers can easily spread marine pests from infested areas like Port Phillip, into pristine waters outside the Bay.

If your boat has been in Port Phillip Bay it could have pests, their eggs or plant spores on board. They need to be removed before you change locations. Even if you are taking your boat out of the water to move, you still need to make sure you check and clean it properly. Pests can survive on your boat or gear out of the water for weeks or even months, they only need a slightly damp environment to stay alive.

Follow these simple steps to make sure your boat is clean and pest free:
Click here if you moor your boat (yachts, cruisers etc)

Click here for trailer boats, canoes, kayaks and jetskis