Too Good to Spoil
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Kangaroo Island is threatened European sea squirt by destructive marine The European sea squirt (Ciona intestinalis) out- pests that can ruin coastal competes native species for food and habitat and can form large colonies (monocultures) covering environments and marine the seabed. It is also a nuisance fouling species industries. on aquaculture farms. How can you help? The European sea squirt is spread from place to place on the hull of vessels and can lodge Be on the alert for the species in this brochure! in unobtrusive hiding places such as internal seawater systems. • Report suspicious sightings to FISHWATCH 1800 065 522 (24 hours) or the It is known to be in Port Adelaide, Outer Harbour Kangaroo Island Natural Resources and North Haven and has been recorded once at Management Board 8553 4300. American River. • Record the location and take photos if possible. Boats are the main means of European fan worm transporting marine pests, so... The European fan worm (Sabella spallanzanii) • Apply and maintain antifouling paint regularly. forms large, dense colonies that smother native • Check and clean your boat hull before sailing species and out-compete them for food. If it to KI. If not possible, check your hull in KI becomes established on KI it could destroy waters when you arrive. If pests are found, do seagrass meadows in Pelican Lagoon and Nepean not remove them but contact the KI Natural Bay that are vital nurseries for fish and shellfish. Resources Management Board. The European fan worm is spread as fouling on • Check anchor lockers, scuppers, bilges and vessel hulls. It infests boating facilities along the other areas where pests can hide. Adelaide coastline as far south as Wirrina. Small • Flush toilets and idle your motor for five incursions have recently been removed from minutes in open water after leaving port to Kingscote and the Bay of Shoals. flush internal seawater systems where pests It can be distinguished from native species by a can hide. distinctive spiral fan of feeding tentacles at the end of a long thin tube. KANGAROO ISLAND TOO GOOD TO SPOIL Northern Pacific seastar The Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) is a voracious predator that eats large numbers Help keep Kangaroo Island of native shellfish and completely alters natural seabed communities. It can have serious impacts free of marine pests on aquaculture, particularly oyster and mussel farms. Millions of Northern Pacific seastars have infested Port Phillip Bay, Victoria and around Hobart in Tasmania but it has not yet been found in South Australia. The Northern Pacific seastar can be distinguished from native seastars by the distinctive, pointed, upturned tips on its five arms. It can vary in colour, but often has purple markings. Kingscote jetty covered with Wirrina jetty pylon smothered Aquarium caulerpa diverse native marine life. by European fan worms. Aquarium caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia) is a highly invasive seaweed that grows rapidly, smothering native seagrass meadows and invertebrate communities. It is listed as a Noxious Species under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 because it threatens fish breeding and feeding grounds. Aquarium caulerpa can survive for two weeks out of water and regenerates from fragments as small as 2 mm. Fronds can become entangled around anchors, ropes, fishing gear or boat trailers. It has taken hold in the Port River/Barker Inlet system and is spreading outwards into Gulf St Vincent. Fortunately it has not yet been found on Kangaroo Island. Aquarium Caulerpa is distinguished by the leaves (pinnules) growing directly opposite each other along the stalk of the frond. Images: KI NRM Board, S Leske, R Ling, P van Moer, Usujiri Fisheries Station.