Asian green mussel (Perna viridis)

Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) is an invasive marine pest that may out-compete native species and impact aquaculture and other marine based industries in Australia.

Detection in Australia

Since September 2024, Asian green mussels have been detected on vessel hulls and marine infrastructure in waters near Weipa in far north Queensland.

Biosecurity Queensland is conducting surveillance activities to determine the extent of the outbreak, including settlement plate inspections, eDNA surveillance, underwater inspections of wharves, pylons and moorings and shoreline surveys.

Asian green mussel can have economic impacts as it fouls vessel hulls, seawater systems, industrial intake pipes, wharves and buoys, and shellfish aquaculture stock and equipment.

It is unknown how the species originally arrived in Australia, but Asian green mussels are known to attach themselves to vessels as biofouling or can possibly be transported in vessel’s ballast water.

Response program

The lead agency for this response is Biosecurity Queensland.

The immediate focus of the response is to prevent further spread of Asian green mussel within Australia and complete priority surveillance activities in and around the Weipa region.

The surveillance activities are helping to determine the full extent of the incursion and inform management decisions.

The Consultative Committee on Introduced Marine Pest Emergencies (CCIMPE) continues to meet to provide advice on the response. This group consists of marine pest technical advisers from state, territory and Australian Governments.

In December 2025, the National Management Group endorsed an Incident Definition Response Plan for Asian green mussel eradication. This plan outlines the surveillance and assessment activities that will be undertaken to help determine if Asian green mussel remains feasible and cost-beneficial to eradicate.

Your obligations

Asian green mussel is a prohibited marine animal under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014. Everyone has a biosecurity obligation to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risk of Asian green mussel spreading.

Vessel owners should keep the exterior of their boat clean and manage biofouling. Biofouling is any marine growth, such as algae or mussels, that attach to the underside of a vessel or on propellors and rudders. For additional information on cleaning recreational vessels visit the marine pest website.

Where possible, vessels should be removed from the water before any biofouling is removed. This will help prevent the spread of any potential marine pests.

Yachts and other vessels entering Australian waters from overseas must comply with biosecurity conditions set by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

People who work in or use our marine environment for commercial or recreational activities need to be aware of marine pests and how to avoid transferring them to new areas.

Report sightings

Biosecurity Queensland is encouraging water users in the Weipa region to remain vigilant for Asian green mussel. If you spot something unusual in Queensland waters or on marine vessels and infrastructure, contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or complete the online reporting form.

In other states or territories, report anything unusual or suspected marine pests to your local biosecurity agency.

About the pest

Asian green mussel is highly variable in colour when young, ranging from brown, sometimes with stripes, to the more typical green. At maturity it is more of a dark green-to-blue or green-to-brown with a green margin.

The mussel generally grows to between 80 mm and 100 mm in shell length. At a maximum they can grow up to 160 mm.

Asian green mussel is native and widespread across many countries in the Indo-Pacific, and South-East Asian regions. It has also invaded the USA, Venezuela, Jamaica, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.

The mussel can be transported in ship ballast water, on vessel hulls, in internal seawater systems and on items such as aquaculture equipment.

Asian green mussel is a nationally significant marine pest and listed on the Australian Priority Marine Pest List (APMPL) and the National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases (EEPL).