AN AGGRESSIVE and unwanted intruder could see the banks of St Helens' Georges Bay choked in a clump of vegetation and mucky sediment, Natural Resource Management North says.
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Rice grass has already established in areas of Northern Tasmania, such as the Tamar and Rubicon estuaries, where it is classified as an uncontrolled weed.
The latest discovery at Georges Bay was made by students surveying saltmarsh communities for an NRM North climate-change project.
The weed has the ability to alter estuary shores, including beaches, and alter estuary flow and increase flood risk.
NRM North coastal co-ordinator Emma Williams urged residents and visitors to St Helens to report any rice grass.
"NRM North is working with the Parks and Wildlife Service to quickly control it before it spreads around the bay," Ms Williams said.
"If anyone thinks they have seen rice grass recently around Georges Bay, or other estuaries, please report the location to Break O'Day Council, the Parks and Wildlife Service or NRM North."
Break O'Day natural resource management facilitator Polly Buchhorn said the bay's previous invasion took five years to clear.
"This new incursion in Georges Bay could have drifted around from the north coast of Tasmania," Ms Buchhorn said.
"It is likely that people brought it to Georges Bay again, in a boat or in mud on a vehicle or shoes, or even in a beach bag.
"Another possibility is it may have established in another location in the bay or nearby."For more information contact NRM North on 63337777 or Break O'Day Council on 63677900.
