2011 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Scotland Didemnun vexillum records
The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum) is an invasive non-native species of colonial sea squirt that has recently been found in England, Ireland, Wales and at one location in the Clyde, on the west coast of Scotland. The potential ecological and economic impacts of this species are significant. A rapid response eradication programme in Holyhead Harbour is currently underway, showing signs of some success so far. However, it is not known how far this species has spread within the UK, and surveys are underway in England and Wales to determine its distribution. It is crucial to know as soon as possible how far it has spread, as this information will determine what the appropriate response will be - if it is confined to only a few sites, it may be possible to attempt eradication. If it is already more widespread, then containment or control measures will be more appropriate. No specific surveys targeting this species had previously been carried out in Scotland, so it was not known whether it was present just in the one marina in the Clyde or whether it was more widespread. This project involved a series of rapid assessment surveys of those marinas and harbours thought to be most likely at risk from establishment (e.g. those in the Clyde and on the west coast of Scotland) and will inform SNHâs policy for dealing with this species, as well as the wider UK policy for response.
dataset
name: Click to get data
description: A link to the web service or dataset
name: DASSH homepage
description: A link to the general host site
DASSHDT00000150
http://www.dassh.ac.uk
eng
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
biota
revision
2008-01-06
revision
2009-11-16
-4.8627
-4.8540
55.7773
55.7717
creation
2009-06-18
Minches & Western Scotland
revision
2010-01-01
infralittoral
revision
2010-01-01
littoral
creation
2014-05-16
VIa
2009-11-01
2009-11-30
publication
2016-02-22
notPlanned
Part of MSFD NNS baseline data collation project (Jan 2016). Subset of a dataset as we were only pulling out records for a selection of INNS. Contains records for Didemnum vexillum. A methodical search of pontoon floats, anchor chains, pilings and any ropes or other items hanging into the water at each location was carried out for signs of D. vexillum by three researchers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). All the pontoons in the marina were inspected using viewing scopes and an underwater camera system operated from the pontoon walkway to collect video (Panasonic Optio W30 camera mounted on 2 m pole) and stills (Panasonic Optio W60 camera). Scrapers with fine mesh nets attached were also used to collect any suspect organisms for closer inspection. Surveys typically lasted between one and two hours depending on the size of the marina or harbour. The most effective survey method was for the group of researchers to stay together, with one person allocated to each of the side pontoons and the third person looking at the main walkway. This allowed instant confirmation by the survey team of any potential sightings of D. vexillum. Any additional non-native species found during the survey were recorded. Weather conditions and visibility of the water column was noted at each location. All the equipment was cleaned with sanitiser and the nets on each scraper changed between locations. Samples requiring verification were collected and preserved in alcohol for later inspection under a stereomicroscope.
Public, however, whilst marina names may be determined from coordinates they may not be reported further
Public, however, whilst marina names may be determined from coordinates they may not be reported further
Ecologist
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Headquaters
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
01463 725000
originator
Data Manager
Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH)
Marine Biological Association of the UK, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill
Plymouth
PL1 2PB
01752 633102
01752 633291
custodian
DASSH, The Archive for Marine Species and Habitat Data
pointOfContact
2018-01-15