Lyttelton Port Company is collaborating with Environment Canterbury (ECAN) and Biosecurity NZ (BSNZ) on a response to remove the marine pest Mediterranean fanworm from the Inner Harbour.

LPC will focus efforts within the Port Operational Area of the Inner Harbour, while other efforts will focus on areas beyond the moles of the Inner Harbour in locations in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour.

Sub Aqua divers started with the floating pontoons of Te Ana Marina, where they found and removed high numbers – 638.

Te Ana is an important target area for management as it is where fanworm can easily spread to vessels and be transferred to other locations. This poses a big risk to more pristine areas of New Zealand, such as Stewart Island or Fiordland.

The oil berth had less growth – about 100.

On Thursday, the team worked around Jetty 7, finding over 600 on the western side alone.

The high numbers have been surprising, ranging in length from under 10 cm (juvenile) to over 50 cm.

Lyttelton port map showing removal zones.

Dive teams are recording information about Sabella removal, including location and size class, and submit data to a national database.