Marine non-native invasive species in Northern

Julia Nunn & Dan Minchin

Invasive Species Forum May 2013 Rapid assessment of marinas for invasive alien species (IAS) in

1. Develop a target list of species (identifying sector related species) through a desktop literature search. 2. Undertake a rapid assessment of target species using a recognised methodology for selected marina sites around the coast of Northern Ireland. 3. Undertake an examination of the nearby shoreline, near high risk marinas, for invasive species. 4. Where necessary collect voucher specimens of taxa for the NMNI ensuring confirmation of ID is acquired from acknowledged taxonomic experts.

5. Gauge the current level of knowledge of IAS with marina managers. 6. Promote the Invasive Species Ireland Codes of Practice for marina managers and recreational water users to marina staff whilst undertaking fieldwork.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Previous studies • 2006 survey – 20 target species • species found: Amphibalanus improvisus, Austrominius modestus, eumyota and Sargassum muticum

Target species: 57

Test fieldwork : Carlingford Marina

Northern Ireland: 29th Aug- 8th Sept 2012 • 11 marinas (Abundance & Distribution Range (ADR)) • 9 pontoons • 6 shores Parameters: wind; weather; surface water temperature; salinity; cloud coverage; precipitation; tidal conditions; visibility

Decontamination procedures

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Lough: 17th September – 19th October • survey for Didemnum vexillum • 11 shores • 1 pontoon • NIEA spot dive survey

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013

S P E C I E S

Aug-Oct 2012 FoyleMarina Portrushpontoon Pontoon Rathlin Marina Ballycastle Marina Marina Marina Belfast Marina Bangor Marina Copelands Marina Ballydorn Island Sketrick WhiterockPontoon PortaferryMarina Pontoon EastDown Marina Marina Carlingford Marina Seaton's ColeraineMarina Pontoon Quoile

Amphibalanus improvisus D + A Aplidium glabrum + + + + + + Austrominius modestus A B B A + + + + + C A Botrylloides violaceus B Botrylloides c.f. violaceus ? ? Bugula fulva + + + Bugula neritina C D Bugula simplex + + + + + Caprella mutica + + + + + B peregrina A A + B A Cordylophora caspia B + B Corella eumyota + + + A A A A + + + A + + B A A Didemnum vexillum B + B Gammarus tigrinus + Monocorophium acherusicum + Monocorophium insidiosum + + + + + + Monocorophium sextonae + + + + + + Perophora japonica A Potamopyrgus antipodarum B Sargassum muticum A + + A A Styela clava A A Tricellaria inopinata + + + + + + + Undaria pinnatifida A Watersipora subtorquata A

2 3 3 2 6 4 6 12 2 6 1 6 5 2 5 5 0 3 5 5 4 9 Total confirmed spp.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 The greatest number of species attributed to a marina/pontoon was for Carrickfergus Marina, where 12 non-native/cryptogenic species were found.

q Aplidium glabrum q Austrominius modestus q Bugula neritina q Bugula simplex q Caprella mutica q Colpomenia peregrina q Corella eumyota q Styela clava q Monocorophium acherusicum q Monocorophium sextonae q Tricellaria inopinata q Undaria pinnatifida

The most widespread species were: Corella eumyota (16) and Austrominius modestus (11).

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013

Coleraine Marina Ballycastle Marina Carrickfergus Marina Bangor Marina Copelands Marina Marina Ardglass Marina Carlingford Marina

2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012 2006 2012

Amphibalanus improvisus + A Aplidium glabrum + + Austrominius modestus A + B + + + A Botrylloides violaceus + B Bugula fulva + Bugula neritina C + D Bugula simplex + + + Caprella mutica + + B + Colpomenia peregrina A B Cordylophora caspia B Corella eumyota A + A A A B + A Didemnum vexillum + B Monocorophium acherusicum + Monocorophium insidiosum + + + Monocorophium sextonae + + + + Perophora japonica + Potamopyrgus antipodarum B Sargassum muticum A + + A Styela clava A Tricellaria inopinata + + + + Undaria pinnatifida + Watersipora subtorquata A

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013

S P E C I E S Aug-Oct 2012

Culmore Point, Foyle Estuary Kircubbin, Nof Herring Bay, Strangford Lough MaheeIsland spit, Strangford Lough Dundrum Bay MillBay, Ballydorn (shore), Strangford Lough Sketrick island N, Strangford Lough Sketrick Island narrows, Strangford Lough MaheeIsland narrows, Strangford Lough WhiterockBay, Strangford Lough Braddock Island, Strangford Lough Paddy’s Point, Strangford Lough Rainey Island narrows, Strangford Lough Sketrick Island south, Strangford Lough , Carlingford Lough

Amphibalanus improvisus +

Aplidium glabrum + + + + + + Austrominius modestus + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Botrylloides violaceus + ? Calyptraea chinensis + + + + + Chondracanthus acicularis + Colpomenia peregrina + + + + + Corella eumyota + + + + + + + + + + + Crassostrea gigas (feral) + + + Diadumene lineata + Didemnum vexillum ? ? ? ? Heterosiphonia japonica + + + + + + + + Gracilaria vermiculophylla + + + Monocorophium insidiosum + Perophora japonica + + Sargassum muticum + + + + + + +

Total confirmed spp. 2 3 3 7 2 2 5 3 9 7 5 3 4 7 5 3

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 The greatest number of species attributed to an intertidal site was for Sketrick Narrows, Strangford Lough where 9 non-native/cryptogenic species were found

q Aplidium glabrum q Austrominius modestus q Botrylloides violaceus q Calyptraea chinensis q Colpomenia peregrina q Corella eumyota q Crassostrea gigas q Didemnum vexillum (probable) q Sargassum muticum

The most widespread species were: Austrominius modestus (15), Corella eumyota (11), Heterosiphonia japonica (8)

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Species found in Northern Ireland taxon Amphibalanus improvisus barnacle Aplidium glabrum Asparagopsis armata (drift only) red alga Austrominius modestus barnacle Botrylloides violaceus tunicate Bugula fulva bryozoan Bugula neritina bryozoan Bugula simplex bryozoan Calyptraea chinensis mollusc Caprella mutica amphipod Chondracanthus acicularis red alga Clymenella torquata polychaete Codium fragile ssp. fragile green alga Colpomenia peregrina brown alga Corella eumyota tunicate Cordylophora caspia hydroid Crassostrea gigas mollusc Crepidula fornicata mollusc Diadumene lineata anemone Didemnum vexillum tunicate Gammarus tigrinus amphipod Gracilaria vermiculophylla alga Heterosiphonia japonica alga manhattensis? tunicate Monocorophium acherusicum amphipod Monocorophium insidiosum amphipod Monocorophium sextonae amphipod Perophora japonica tunicate Potamopyrgus antipodarum mollusc Sargassum muticum alga Styela clava tunicate Teredo navalis mollusc Tricellaria inopinata bryozoan Undaria pinnatifida alga Watersipora subtorquata bryozoan

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 : Gracilaria vermiculophylla

• first recorded NI Dundrum Bay July 2012 & Carlingford Lough • abundant there during present survey.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Algae: Heterosiphonia japonica

• first recorded Ballyhenry, Strangford Lough, C Maggs 2011 • found abundant at Ringhaddy, March 2012 • present same site this survey, low abundance • found in NI, several sites in 2012 – especially north coast at and Ballycastle by Seasearch divers.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Algae: Undaria pinnatifida

• 3 plants Carrickfergus • first record for island of Ireland.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Algae: Sargassum muticum

• first recorded island of Ireland 1995 • extensive throughout the island • particularly abundant in Strangford Lough.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Hydroids: Cordylophora caspia

• estuarine species • found Foyle and Bann Estuaries

• dense mats • unknown if recorded in NI before.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Anemones: Diadumene lineata

• first found by A. Raft September 2010 Mahee Island, Strangford Lough • found again this survey • elsewhere in Ireland only Tralee Bay • probably overlooked.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Barnacles: Amphibalanus improvisus

• living Foyle estuary only • shells in Bann estuary • previous records Foyle and Dundrum Bay.

Barnacles: Austrominius modestus

• recorded at most sites • well established throughout the island.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Small crustaceans: Caprella mutica

• first recorded June 2009 Bangor Marina • subsequently Strangford Lough & • widely found, both areas, and around NI.

Small crustaceans: Monocorophium spp.-

• acherusicum: Carrickfergus • insidiosum: 6 sites, north and eastern NI • sextonae: 6 sites, southern NI

all widely recorded previously.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Molluscs: Crepidula fornicata

• first found March 2009, Belfast Lough, G. McNeill • subsequently sites throughout Belfast Lough and in intertidal • breeding population at Fisherman’s Quay, visited every year • not found this survey.

Molluscs: Calyptraea chinensis

• first recorded NI June 2004 Mahee Island, Strangford Lough • range extended to several sites Strangford Lough nearby + Lough • well known from Clew Bay.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Molluscs: Crassostrea gigas

• escapees seen regularly • large specimens natural settlement, Strangford Lough & Lough Foyle.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Bryozoans: Bugula spp.

Bugula fulva

• cryptogenic, status unknown • first recorded NI Aug 2012 Workshop • two sites SL & Rathlin this survey.

Bugula neritina

• first record for NI at Carrickfergus • previously only from Carlingford Marina.

Bugula simplex

• first recorded Bangor Marina Aug 2011 • 5 sites this survey.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Bryozoans: Watersipora subtorquata

• two colonies at Ardglass • overgrowing mussel shells and sponge • first record for NI • recently recorded from Dunlaoghaire Marina by Kelso & Wyse-Jackson.

Bryozoans: Tricellaria inopinata

• first recorded August 2011 Bangor Marina & subsequently Portrush • this survey – both sites + 5 other marinas

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 : Aplidium glabrum

• unusual colonial tunicate • widespread Strangford Lough • also a number of other sites around NI • unlikely to have been in NI prior to 2010/2011

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Tunicates: Botrylloides violaceus

• identification difficulties • previously (probable) Bangor Marina 2011 • recorded Strangford Lough this survey.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Tunicates: Perophora japonica

• first record island of Ireland at Carlingford Lough • first record Northern Ireland at Sketrick & Rainey, Strangford Lough.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Tunicates: Styela clava

• only previously NI in in 2008 and subsequently Bangor Marina & , both Belfast Lough • this survey: Carrickfergus & Glenarm.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Tunicates: Corella eumyota

• first recorded NI from Carrickfergus 2006 • rapid spread throughout NI

• recorded from 2011 & 2012 from the entire coast where habitat suitable • commonest non-native found on marinas • latest suggests two species C. eumyota and C. antarctica in the southern hemisphere – which one do we have?

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Tunicates: Didemnum vexillum

• first recorded as pendulous growths & carpet form from underside of Ballydorn Lightship, Strangford Lough 5th September • subsequent survey has probable records from nearby at Sketrick, Rainey and Paddys Point • only elsewhere recorded from Carlingford Lough, Malahide, south Galway Bay & Clew Bay

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013 Summary

q 260+ taxa recorded q 1150+ taxon records obtained q 2 new species to island of Ireland: Undaria pinnatifida and Perophora japonica q 4 additional species new to NI: Bugula neritina, Cordylophora caspia, Didemnum vexillum, Watersipora subtorquata q 2 new species to NI, status unclear – Chondracanthus acicularis, Aplidium glabrum q many range extensions: Bugula simplex, Styela clava, Tricellaria inopinata q substantial changes (comparison 2006 with 2012): 35 new records for 8 marinas q ADR technique will enable relative changes over time to be recorded q 2 species may have substantial impact – Didemnum vexillum, Undaria pinnatifida q surveys should be undertaken every two years.

Invasive Species Forum Belfast May 2013