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HABITAT
PREFERENCE
Found from low
intertidal
to subtidal depths of
approx. 15 ft (5 m). Grows on hard surfaces
including rocks, ropes,
docks, pilings,
moorings, and other
structures. Can form dense ‘kelp
forests’ in sheltered
waters
INVASION STATUS &
ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS
Undaria pinnatifi da is
an invasive kelp native
to Japan. Commonly known
as ‘wakame’, an
ingredient in miso soup,
this alga is
commercially
grown throughout Asia
for human consumption.
It has invaded many of
the world’s ocean’s,
from European waters, to
waters off New Zealand.
In 2001, U. pinnatifi da
was discovered on North
American shores in
Monterey Bay, CA, where
efforts to manually
remove it continue
today.
This alga is a very
prolific and hardy
species, with a growth
rate measured at 1-2 cm
per day, and a max.
length of 9 ft (3 m). It
can establish
itself on a wide variety
of surfaces. As a result
of its amazing growth
rate and wide blades,
this seaweed quickly
starves the natural
understory
algae of light. As these
algae die, fi sh and
invertebrates must move
elsewhere to find food,
thus creating extra
feeding pressure on
adjacent
areas. U. pinnatifi da
has drastically affected
the ecosystem of many
waters that it has
invaded. In addition to
such ecological damages,
it is a
fouling species on ship
hulls, nets, fishing
gear, moorings, ropes,
and other structures,
and as such, increases
labor and maintenance
costs.
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