Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Snares Island/Hoh Bay, Pacific Ocean (12/2006, New Zealand Department of Conservation 2006) "PRESS RELEASE (email from Carola Warner) Weed found on island 08 December 2006 An invasive seaweed has been found on one of the sub Antarctic islands. A team of New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) divers found the seaweed, undaria, growing on ropes at a fishing-boat mooring and around rocks in Ho Ho Bay on the Snares Islands. DOC workers will return to the area today to remove the plants and assess the problem. DOC southern islands area manager Andy Roberts said the seaweed would have an environmental impact but it was unclear what the damage could be. Studies had shown undaria could reduce biodiversity and irreversibly diminish the natural character of the marine environment. Even if eradicated from the Snares, the risk of reintroduction cannot be eliminated and this is something that needs to be taken into consideration," Roberts said. DNA testing may be used to determine where the plants were transferred from.Undaria was first found in Wellington Harbour (New Zealand) in 1987. It is native to Japan, Korea and China." 'From records of the New Zealand Parliament- 10/12/2007 'Hon Chris Carter (Minister of Conservation) replied: The department investigated the infestation of Undaria at the Snares. The infestation was more widespread and in deeper water than expected. An assessment of the long- term management costs and the potential human health risks for the divers needed to hand remove the weed indicated that eradication was not a feasible option. The department continues to manage the risk of further spread of Undaria and other marine biosecurity pests at the sub-Antarctic Islands by imposing strict permitting requirements for boats seeking to land on the islands. The department is also working closely with MAFBNZ to ensure the management of marine biosecurity vector risks is enhanced nationally.'

Geographic Extent

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