|
What
Can Be Done
In
the Mediterranean Sea, it continues to spread. It grows in
six countries -Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Croatia and Tunisia-
along some 120 miles of coastline and covering some 50 square
miles. As of today, Caulerpa has invaded more than 100 independent
zones- particularly affecting 300 miles of coast between Toulon,
France and Genoa, Italy- to the west and east of Monaco, respectively.
 |
 |
| |
In
parts of the Mediterranean, a Caulerpa "prairie"
stretches as far as the eye can see. |
Selected
artificially by humans and released accidentally from an aquarium,
the long distance spread of Caulerpa is also linked to human
activities. In the Mediterranean Sea - 17 years after the
first observation of the algae - the most heavily invaded
sites are harbors or bays. From this, we hypothesize that
the weed was randomly distributed by boats, which cut the
algae with anchors and transported the cuttings to other harbors
and bays.
|
As of today, Caulerpa, has affected 300 miles
of coast between Toulon, France and Genoa, Italy
|
|
|
In
the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in California and Australia,
public awareness campaigns were organised to slow the dissemination
of the algae by people. Hundred of thousands of pamphlets
have been distributed to sailors, fishermen and divers. To
avoid new accidental release of the alga, the use of Caulerpa
was prohibited from use in aquariums in Spain and France in
1992. Caulerpa is now on the noxious weed list in the USA
and Australia.
|
 |
| |
Meinesz
at work tracking the killer algae. |
In
some countries, control efforts went even farther. Manual
removal with a seafloor vacuum and chemical destruction with
copper or chlorine were tested at sites in the USA, France,
Spain and Croatia. These efforts were partially successful,
but our latest information shows that nevertheless the algae
continue to spread in all the affected countries. The last
hope to control this global invader is biological control.
One potential solution is the use of a sea slug that strictly
eats Caulerpa. International research efforts
must be made to evaluate the potential risks and benefits
of this means of control.
|
According to Rachel Woodfield, the scientist in
charge of Caulerpa cleanup in the San Diego
area, here is the best way to destroy any Caulerpa
living in your home aquarium. Place the plant
in a plastic bag and leave it in your freezer
overnight. Once frozen, dispose of the bag in
a waste receptacle for burial in a landfill.
Do
NOT put Caulerpa down the
garbage disposal, or flush it down the toilet!
Click
here to listen to more Rachel Woodfield's advice.
Quicktime
is required to hear this audio clip
get
quicktime
|
|
-
- - - - - - - - - - -
2
pages: | 1 | 2 |
|
