Florida divers look for Caulerpa brachypus

[reefsavers.org]

An Invasive Algae known as caulerpa brachypus has been threatening the reefs in Florida.
This algae was discovered 3 years ago in Jupiter Inlet and has been seen to the north in Vero and to the South of jupiter. the hurricanes seem to of wiped it from the reefs, however it is exspected to return. Divers can find out more information at
www.floridaoceanographic.org and by visiting our site www.reefsavers.org.
We will be monitoring the return of this algae and hope to get more divers alerted to the problem. if you see this algae please call your local DEP office and report its location(GPS if possible) and the depth, if it was attached or floating and try to collect a specimen. Thank you for your help!

 

[archman]

Could you post a more direct link? I would like to know what this species looks like, and its habitat preference.

 

[plongeursousmarin]

In the mid-80s the Monaco Oceanographic Museum released the content of an exotic fish tank containing the algae known as Taxifolia caulerpa (used for fish tank decoration) in the sea, just below their building. The weed adapted, grew and thrived (gr?) in the temperate waters of Southern France, spread to Italy, the Balearic Islands and Spain, carried around by changing currents and especially by boats (numerous in the region) anchoring and moving from place to place and spreading the algae even more than would occur naturally. 25 years later and after several attempts at controlling the problem (covering with underwater tarps to prevent photosynthesis, electrolysis, considering introducing a taxifolia-eating snail with unknown consequences on an already very fragile ecosystem), with no known endemic predator, this algae has changed the landscape of some great dive sites by taking over everything. Very sad. I hope Florida environmentalists and politicians can act early and find a way to prevent this algae from destroying the reefs there.

 

[archman]

C. taxifolia looks a lot like C. sertularioides and C. mexicana, both of which are native to the Caribbean. Similar physical appearance makes it a real bear to identify and remove, even for folks that know their macroalgae.

I hope this other species has a distinctive appearance apart from the medley of local types we have... I can't even keep all of them straight.

 

[reefsavers.org]

Could you post a more direct link? I would like to know what this species looks like, and its habitat preference.

our own has photos available www.reefsavers.org or check out www.florida oceanographic.org keyword Caulerpa brachypus. little is know about this specific vari

 

[reefsavers.org]

In the mid-80s the Monaco Oceanographic Museum released the content of an exotic fish tank containing the algae known as Taxifolia caulerpa (used for fish tank decoration) in the sea, just below their building. The weed adapted, grew and thrived (gr?) in the temperate waters of Southern France, spread to Italy, the Balearic Islands and Spain, carried around by changing currents and especially by boats (numerous in the region) anchoring and moving from place to place and spreading the algae even more than would occur naturally. 25 years later and after several attempts at controlling the problem (covering with underwater tarps to prevent photosynthesis, electrolysis, considering introducing a taxifolia-eating snail with unknown consequences on an already very fragile ecosystem), with no known endemic predator, this algae has changed the landscape of some great dive sites by taking over everything. Very sad. I hope Florida environmentalists and politicians can act early and find a way to prevent this algae from destroying the reefs there.

you are correct, we are planning to assist Spain and France with the problem.
Our group has developed technologies to remove invasive algaes and are awaiting approval from DEP to begin the task of searching out and removing all areas infected.
The problem we may have is that more is known about taxifolia then brachypus.
and they have already lost 8000 acres of reef. I think as we remove it well learn more.
such as regrowth rate and sustainability in different enviroments.
Our methods have been tested by DEP and they have agreed that it is the most effective way to remove algae such as taxifolia and brachypus, all we need now is funds to begin... and that may be the hardest task at hand.

 

[reefsavers.org]

C. taxifolia looks a lot like C. sertularioides and C. mexicana, both of which are native to the Caribbean. Similar physical appearance makes it a real bear to identify and remove, even for folks that know their macroalgae.

I hope this other species has a distinctive appearance apart from the medley of local types we have... I can't even keep all of them straight.

we have photos available on our site www.reefsavers.org go to "the dive slate" page
also www.floridaoceanographic.org has some good information as well.
brachypus most resembles C prolifera once you got that down its not so hard.
send me your mailing address and i will be happy to mail you a copy of the bulletin issued by DEP my email is divingforlife@cfl.rr.com Thanks.

 

[archman]

Found the direct link.

http://www.floridaoceanographic.org/brachypus.html

 

[cudachaser]

Are you all familiar with a Dr Grant Gilmore based out of Vero? I work with a lot on other projects...but he is very familiar with this subject

Joe

 

[archman]

you are correct, we are planning to assist Spain and France with the problem.
Our group has developed technologies to remove invasive algaes and are awaiting approval from DEP to begin the task of searching out and removing all areas infected.

Hey ref, you wouldn't be breaking any patent laws or something in telling us a bit about this "technology" you've developed to curb invasive algal growth? I've never heard anything even remotely like this, and I'd love to know more. Just the theory behind the application would be useful, if you could detail even that.