kachemak bay nerr, alaska invasive tunicate

Kachemak BayResearch ReserveNational Estuarine Research Reserve System

What’s New in the KBRR Invasive Monitoring What’s New in the KBRR Invasive Monitoring Program?Program?

• A new tunicate invader found in Sitka A new tunicate invader found in Sitka AlaskaAlaska

• A new approach to the KBBR A new approach to the KBBR Monitoring and Research programMonitoring and Research program

• Legislative support for invasive species Legislative support for invasive species response: some opportunitiesresponse: some opportunities


Invasive Tunicates Invasive Tunicates •Fouling organisms (tunicates) Fouling organisms (tunicates) •Many originate in AsiaMany originate in Asia•Cause problems for marine infrastructure including Cause problems for marine infrastructure including boats and aquacultureboats and aquaculture•Out-compete native benthic organismsOut-compete native benthic organisms•Difficult to removeDifficult to remove

Botryllid TunicatesBotryllid Tunicates


Tunicates can be solitary or colonialTunicates can be solitary or colonial


Alaska’s New Invader: Alaska’s New Invader: Didemnum vexillum Didemnum vexillum a.k.a. a.k.a. Rock Vomit or Glove Leather TunicateRock Vomit or Glove Leather Tunicate

HabitatHabitat: Grows on hard substrate ranging from docks, to shells of bivalves to gravel seabeds; has been found growing on live crabs, kelp, and eel grass, but not on sandy sea floor.

EffectsEffects: This rapidly growing tunicate will grow over near-shore marine habitat and suffocate invertebrates such as: sponges, hydroids, anemones, limpets, oysters, mussels, scallops, barnacles, and other sea squirts.

Current RangeCurrent Range: Globally and in the U.S. along the Pacific & Atlantic coasts and : Globally and in the U.S. along the Pacific & Atlantic coasts and now Alaskanow Alaska

Photo: Anna Epelbaum


Didemnum vexillum Didemnum vexillum found on a lantern net in Whiting found on a lantern net in Whiting Harbor, June 2010 Marine Invasive Species BioBlitzHarbor, June 2010 Marine Invasive Species BioBlitz


Asexual budding expands Asexual budding expands the colony rapidlythe colony rapidly

Photo: J. Nichols


What is Being Done to Address the What is Being Done to Address the Invasion?Invasion?

•Reducing marine traffic in the affected area: ADF&G coordinated an area Reducing marine traffic in the affected area: ADF&G coordinated an area closureclosure

•Conducting broad-scale dive surveys to determine distributionConducting broad-scale dive surveys to determine distribution

•Communication to local residences, mariculture programs, and Alaska Communication to local residences, mariculture programs, and Alaska Marine Invasive Species Working GroupMarine Invasive Species Working Group

•Evaluation of quarantine and removal strategiesEvaluation of quarantine and removal strategies

•Implementation of a rapid response plan fall/winter 2010/2011Implementation of a rapid response plan fall/winter 2010/2011


Vectors: How invasive species are moved Vectors: How invasive species are moved to Alaskato Alaska

• Fouled vessel hulls, especially slow-moving vesselsFouled vessel hulls, especially slow-moving vessels

• Ballast waterBallast water

• Relocating fouled docks from infested watersRelocating fouled docks from infested waters

• Contaminated aquaculture gear and productsContaminated aquaculture gear and products

• Contaminated imported shellfish stockContaminated imported shellfish stock


Current KBRR Tunicate Monitoring Program: Current KBRR Tunicate Monitoring Program: 2006-20102006-2010

•Monitoring locationsMonitoring locations: Seldovia and Homer Harbors

•MethodsMethods: 10 plastic plates are suspended under a brick (for weight) and checked 3 times a year for what has settled on them

•ResultsResults: Normally we see around 5 different native tunicates on the plates.

•Best BetsBest Bets: Catie is working on a tunicate guide to aid in identification of resident and invasive tunicates


Continued participation in the Alaska Tunicate Monitoring Program

•Ketchikan•Valdez•Cordova•Whittier•Chenega Bay•Tatitalek

•Seward•Sitka•Homer•Kodiak•Juneau•Dutch Harbor


On the KBRR Horizon for Tunicate On the KBRR Horizon for Tunicate Monitoring & ResearchMonitoring & Research

• Expand the invasive monitoring program to include a research Expand the invasive monitoring program to include a research plan for potential invasives to Kachemak Bayplan for potential invasives to Kachemak Bay– Making full use of data already collected (HABs, Tunicates, Green Crab)– Ensuring good baseline data prior to an invasive outbreak– Identification of data gaps and opportunities for additional monitoring– Development of KBRR research and monitoring plans for future years

• Response PlanningResponse Planning• Collaboration with UAF: the marine research dive classes will Collaboration with UAF: the marine research dive classes will

be adding tunicate monitoring to their course workbe adding tunicate monitoring to their course work– Will be developing a program collaboratively with Brenda Konar– Students will monitor Little Jackolof Bay annually


A Community Council Opportunity…A Community Council Opportunity…Advocate for support of invasive species monitoring and Advocate for support of invasive species monitoring and

a funding plan for the removal of species when they a funding plan for the removal of species when they are 1are 1stst identified! identified!

Issues: Issues: 3. programs have limited funds to monitor for invasives4. eradication programs are most effective when the foot print of

the invader is small (i.e. prior to it being an economic stressor)5. currently, there is not a funding source for the removal of small

out breaks of invasives

kachemak bay nerr, alaska invasive tunicate

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