Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Halape, Hawai‘i/HI/Pacific Ocean (1946, Carlton and Eldredge 2009)
Geographic Extent
Halape, Hawai‘i/HI/Pacific Ocean (1946, Carlton and Eldredge 2009); Ala Moana and Fort Kamehameha, O‘ahu/HI/Pacific Ocean (Bailey-Brock 1976, cited by Carlton and Eldredge 2009); Oahu/HI/Pearl Harbor (1976, Coles et al. 1999); Kaua‘i/HI/Pacific Ocean (2002, Coles et al. 2006); Moloka‘i/HI/Kaunakakai Harbor (2003, Coles et al. 2004); Maui/HI/Kahului Harbor (2003, Coles et al. 2004); Hawai'i/HI/Kawaihae and Hilo Harbors (2003, Coles et al. 2004)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Hull Fouling |
Regional Impacts
| Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
| Heavily harvested for the aquarium trade in the Hawaiian Islands 'Walsh et al. (2003) noted that between 1976 and 2003, no fewer than 741,949 specimens of this brightly-colored worm were harvested for the aquarium trade, for a value of $860,362. Bybee et al. (2006b) remark that it “has become one of the most harvested marine ornamental species” in Hawai‘i, and that “corals and other components of the reef community are often damaged by collectors.” (Carlton and Eldredge 2009) | ||