A growing marine issue in the Marlborough Sounds is pitting environmental advocates against the Marlborough District Council. The Guardians of the Sounds, an environmental group, have voiced criticism over what they describe as years of inaction regarding the spread of the parchment worm.
Parchment Worm Threatens Marine Ecosystem
The parchment worm is impacting the health of the Marlborough Sounds, with a council scientist reporting to the Environment and Planning committee in November that three ecologically significant species have already disappeared. The worm is specifically threatening the Galeolaria tubeworm, as it overtakes habitats and food supplies. According to Oliver Wade, the council’s principal coastal scientist, “We’re seeing some of these [Galeolaria] reef systems are actually in really poor condition now… They’re going before our eyes.”
Tim Healy, Chairman of the Guardians of the Sounds, described the worm’s impact as “devastating,” explaining that it “grows into a big fat mat [and] it completely covers the seabed… Most things seem to die.” The group says they first alerted the council to the problem several years ago, but their concerns were not addressed.
Council Response and Prioritization
The Marlborough District Council maintains it is following expert advice. A council spokesperson stated that advice received when the Hauraki variant of the worm was confirmed in the Sounds recommended against pest control measures, citing the worm’s long history in New Zealand, the lack of effective control tools, and associated costs. The council is prioritizing efforts to prevent the establishment of new invasive species, such as the Mediterranean fanworm, intercepting approximately 80 incursions since 2014 through checks of around 2500 boats annually.
The Guardians of the Sounds attempted to organize residents to manually remove the worms, but were warned they could face prosecution under section 52 of the Biosecurity Act if their actions inadvertently spread the worm. The council inspected areas identified by the Guardians in Ruakaka Bay, but a requested study on the worm’s spread was not conducted due to “capacity restraints.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptogenic species?
Parchment worm is described as a cryptogenic species, meaning its origins are currently unknown. This makes it difficult for scientists to determine whether it is native or invasive to New Zealand.
Did the council ever investigate a link between the parchment worm and scallop deaths?
A sampling of scallops from the sound was taken, but it could not definitively link the dying scallops to the spread of parchment worm.
When did the council first receive information about the parchment worm?
According to a council spokesperson, they were first contacted by Oliver Wade about the parchment worm in 2019.
Given the ongoing concerns and the council’s current approach, what impact will the parchment worm have on the long-term health of the Marlborough Sounds ecosystem?
