Introduction of non-indigenous fish and marine vegetation
Important information
Key threatening process: Introduction of non-indigenous fish and marine vegetation to the coastal waters of New South Wales.
Description: Any species of fish or marine vegetation introduced to NSW waters since European settlement is considered non-indigenous. Approximately 50 species of marine organisms have been introduced into NSW coastal waters. These include the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia, toxic dinoflagellates, European shore crab, European fan worm and Pacific oysters. Many other species, such as black striped mussel and Japanese seaweed pose a risk to the biodiversity of NSW waters if they were to be introduced.
Introduction of non-indigenous fish and marine vegetation to the coastal waters of NSW has been listed as a key threatening process as it has the potential to cause species, populations or ecological communities that are not currently threatened to become threatened.