Eradicating and preventing the spread of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia in NSW

2004

NSW Fisheries
for the Department of the Environment and Heritage

Download

About the report

This joint project between NSW Fisheries and the University of Wollongong had 3 objectives:

  1. To investigate patterns of dispersal, recruitment and growth of the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia and provide information on spread within NSW estuaries
  2. To investigate the vectors that may transfer C. taxifolia to new locations
  3. To develop environmentally benign ways of removing C. taxifolia which might eventually lead to its elimination from whole sites or regions

The research undertaken to address these objectives provided a good understanding of the population ecology of C. taxifolia in NSW estuaries, allowed the evaluation of several control techniques and underpinned the development of a Control Plan for Caulerpa taxifolia in NSW based on a preliminary assessment of risks.