Phischy
New Member
This topic came up on www.sdreefs.com and it concerns the macro algea Caulpera Taxifola and it's impact. The state of Cali has deemed it illegal as an invasive speices if released into the ocean and it is now a misdemeanor to own/sell/purchas in the City. For those that don't know, as a safe bet it's wise to avoid all strains of Caulpera algea.
Here is some background info on the weed:
In October 1998, the Department of Interior (DoI) was alerted to the possibility that an aquarium-bred clone of the tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia could become established in U.S. coastal waters. Over 100 research scientists requested that the Secretary of Interior (Secretary) initiate immediate action to prevent the Mediterranean strain of C. taxifolia from entering and becoming established U.S. waters. In response the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) lead an investigation and submitted its findings to the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force in November 1998.
Read more: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Caulerpa.htm
Caulerpa taxifola in Monterey Bay:
http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/overview.html
"In the Mediterranean, what started as 1meter2 has spread to over 2.5 acres in less than 5 years. It now covers more than 10,000 acres. Dissemination takes place primarily by fragmentation."
"Recent Outbreak:
The recent outbreak covering 0.5 acre in a lagoon just north of San Diego was discovered in late June, 2000 by divers performing habitat monitoring surveys for a nearby power plant. The most probable cause of this outbreak is that a home aquarium was emptied into either the lagoon or a storm drain. The area has been roped off and is under 24-hour watch. Plans are underway to tarp over the area and poison the plant underneath with chlorine."
http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/CAULERPA.htm
"This alga poses a substantial threat to marine ecosystems Southern California, particularly to the extensive eelgrass meadows and other benthic environments that make coastal waters such a rich and productive environment for fish and birds. "
Link to more links:
http://www.invasivespecies.gov/prof...lleralgae.shtml
This stuff is very dangerous to the environment, the more I read the more I think anyone who has it should freeze it and throw it in the garbage.
Here is some background info on the weed:
In October 1998, the Department of Interior (DoI) was alerted to the possibility that an aquarium-bred clone of the tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia could become established in U.S. coastal waters. Over 100 research scientists requested that the Secretary of Interior (Secretary) initiate immediate action to prevent the Mediterranean strain of C. taxifolia from entering and becoming established U.S. waters. In response the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) lead an investigation and submitted its findings to the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force in November 1998.
Read more: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Caulerpa.htm
Caulerpa taxifola in Monterey Bay:
http://www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov/research/overview.html
"In the Mediterranean, what started as 1meter2 has spread to over 2.5 acres in less than 5 years. It now covers more than 10,000 acres. Dissemination takes place primarily by fragmentation."
"Recent Outbreak:
The recent outbreak covering 0.5 acre in a lagoon just north of San Diego was discovered in late June, 2000 by divers performing habitat monitoring surveys for a nearby power plant. The most probable cause of this outbreak is that a home aquarium was emptied into either the lagoon or a storm drain. The area has been roped off and is under 24-hour watch. Plans are underway to tarp over the area and poison the plant underneath with chlorine."
http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/CAULERPA.htm
"This alga poses a substantial threat to marine ecosystems Southern California, particularly to the extensive eelgrass meadows and other benthic environments that make coastal waters such a rich and productive environment for fish and birds. "
Link to more links:
http://www.invasivespecies.gov/prof...lleralgae.shtml
This stuff is very dangerous to the environment, the more I read the more I think anyone who has it should freeze it and throw it in the garbage.
