Invasive species

The invasive gold clam is native to eastern Asia and is widely established in North and South America and Europe. In New Zealand it was first discovered in the Waikato River in May 2023 at Bob's Landing, within Lake Karāpiro. It has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act.

NIWA and partners launch critical research to stop an invasive clam threatening New Zealand's freshwater ecosystem.

Research aim: Developing a suite of control tools

Research aim: Developing predictive models

Research aim: Understanding clam impacts

Learn more about the invasive freshwater gold clam

Find out more about the MBIE project

NIWA has been awarded $10.2m to investigate an invasive clam that was only recently discovered in New Zealand waters.

Investigating the effectiveness of an acoustic bubble-screen in minimising the movement of pest fish

Reducing the risk of new freshwater invasive species, minimising the impacts of these species, and developing methods for reducing or eradicating those populations.

Aotearoa-New Zealand’s marine area covers 167,650 square kilometres presenting a staggering distribution of climates, from subtropical to subantarctic waters, to understand and manage.

NIWA has world-class expertise in marine macroalgae and extensive research on various aspects of seaweed ecology, growth and taxonomy.