Japanese seaweed / Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida)
Have you see this marine pest in NSW?
Key features
Japanese seaweed
Habitat
Sheltered temperate waters; intertidal to subtidal zone; to 15 metres.
Current locations
- Not known in NSW
- Found in Tasmania and Victoria
Impacts
- Forms dense forests
- Overgrows native organisms
Similar native species
Common kelp
Common Kelp
Ecklonia radiata
Key Features:
- Often has spines
- Darker fronds
- No midrib or sporophyll
- Up to 2 metres in height
- Often washed up on shore
- Form varies with depth (longer, smoother fronds in deep water)
Habitat: exposed rocky reef and estuaries, to 44 metres depth.
Strap weed-Phyllospora comosa
Strap Weed
Phyllospora comosa
Key features:
- Long strand-like fronds
- Spindle shaped floats
- No midrib or sporophyll
- Up to 3 metres in height
- Often found washed up on shore
Habitat: exposed rocky reef; to 20 metres depth.
Bull kelp Durvillaea potatorum
Bull kelp
Durvillaea potatorum
Key features:
- Large bulky fronds
- No midrib or sporophyll
- Up to 8 metres in height
Habitat: exposed rocky reef; to 30 metres depth.
If you see this pest in NSW, please report it immediately
- Note the exact location
- If possible take a photo and/or collect a sample
- Freeze sample in a plastic bag
- Report your sighting
Photograph credit:
Native species: John Huisman, Marine Plants of Australia.
Japanese seaweed: CRIMP, CSIRO Australia.