What does it look like?
Asian clam is found in estuaries and brackish waters, particularly on mud, sand, peat and clay substrates. It’s often buried in dense clumps, with part of the shell exposed above the surface.
The shell is typically dirty white, yellow or tan, and has a distinctive overbite, where the two shell halves differ in size and shape. Adult clams are small, usually around two to three centimetres across, which can make them easy to miss.
Why is it a problem?
Asian clams can live in fresh and salt water. They consume large amounts of phytoplankton and zooplankton, which can have profound impacts on any marine community.
Asian clam is not known to be in New Zealand.
Control methods
You must notify us or Ministry for Primary Industries if you suspect the presence of this organism.
You can help prevent the spread of marine pests by:
- Regularly cleaning your boat’s hull –keep fouling growth to no more than a light slime layer.
- Applying a thorough coating of antifouling paint and keep it in good condition.
- Ensure your hull is clean and free of fouling before you travel to a new area.
- Clean and dry any marine equipment (e.g. ropes, lines and pots) before using in a new area.
- Inspect areas on your boat that retain water for signs of marine life.
- Check for aquatic weeds tangled around anchors, trailers and other equipment.
Related links
Notify Council
If you think you've found this pest, please get in touch with our Biosecurity Team at biosecurity@hbrc.govt.nz or call us on 0800 108 838.
Management Programme
Unwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
More informationNotifiable Organism
Any organism specified under the Biosecurity Notifiable Organisms Order 2016 must be reported to MPI if spotted. If any of these organisms become established in New Zealand, they could severely affect our primary production, trade, and market access. If you spot a notifiable organism, you have a legal obligation under section 44 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 to tell MPI. Call the pests-and-diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
More informationRules
Plan Rule 1
The operator of a vessel entering the waters of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council must ensure the hull (includes hull area, niche areas and wind and water line) or any structure or navigation aid of any origin, is sufficiently cleaned and antifouled so that there is no more than a slime layer and/or goose barnacles
More informationTaxonomies
FamilyCorbulidae
TypeAnimals
GroupShellfish
HabitatMarine
Management ProgrammeUnwanted OrganismNotifiable Organism
RulesPlan Rule 1
