As divers in SoCal may be aware, the Asian kelp Sargassum filicinum (native to Japan and Korea) invaded our region several years ago (see column link below). It has spread like wildfire and now chokes out native vegetation and invertebrates in several areas including the leeward coast of Santa Catalina Island.
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
I am looking for stills or video of this species in its native habitat to get an idea of the density it achieved where it is a natural component. I would greatly appreciate anything divers from Japan or Korea could provide.
I would also be interested in stills or video of any SoCal species (such as Macrocystis pyrifera or Pelagophycus porra) that may have been introduced to Asian waters by trans-Pacific shipping.
TIA
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
I am looking for stills or video of this species in its native habitat to get an idea of the density it achieved where it is a natural component. I would greatly appreciate anything divers from Japan or Korea could provide.
I would also be interested in stills or video of any SoCal species (such as Macrocystis pyrifera or Pelagophycus porra) that may have been introduced to Asian waters by trans-Pacific shipping.
TIA
