Fanworm retreats following Auckland floods

Mediterranean Fanworm in a marina in Whangarei Harbour. Video credit: Project Kahurangi.

Like we always do the day before a boat show, the council teams got the necessary permits to collect Mediterranean fanworm from a nearby marina and set it up in a display tank so that people can see what it looks like, living and breathing in a tanks. This time we weren’t successful. While the species is usually plentiful, there was no fanworm to be found in any of the usual places at Westhaven or the Viaduct.

Our marine scientists think it’s likely that the huge influx of fresh water into the marinas during the 27th January floods has caused it to die back temporarily. The same phenomenon has been seen over winter in marinas that have a higher level of fresh water content. We’ll watch this space to see what happens next. 

It remains important to check and clean your boat before you move, to avoid spreading fanworm or any other marine pests.