Western Australia's Department of Fisheries is investigating a non-native barnacle species found on a vessel in Fremantle and is preparing to check the extent of any marine pest population.
 
Since it was found late last week the department has had to undertake a specific formal process to comply with State and Federal biosecurity obligations.  The barnacle, Balanus improvisus, is a fouling barnacle and is classified a marine pest by the Australian Government.
 
At this stage barnacles have only been found on the vessel and not on any port infrastructure.
 
The Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, WA's Department of Fisheries and Fremantle Ports are working together to plan and conduct a more comprehensive survey in coming weeks and provide an assessment of the barnacle's presence.
 

 
Posted 26 November 2010