First detected in Tomales Bay and San Francisco Bay

[WB Staff]

As California Invasive Species Action Week comes to a close, we’d like to share some information from CDFW’s Marine Invasive Species Program, which works to monitor the introduction of invasive species that damage our coastal environment. Sea Grape (Molgula manhattenensis) is one of those species. This sea squirt is somewhat translucent and feels soft and rubbery to the touch. It attaches to bedrock, boulders, stones and shells in ports and harbors. It is particularly harmful to oyster aquaculture operations, as it grows on top of the oysters, effectively smothering them.

First detected in Tomales Bay and San Francisco Bay around 1950, the Sea Grape has spread throughout the state, including Newport Bay and Alamitos Bay. Like many marine invasive species, they are particularly hard to control due to the way they reproduce (expelling gametes into the water column). If you are an ocean-going boat owner, you can help prevent the spread of the Sea Grape – and other marine invasives – by regularly cleaning your boat hull.

You can read more about the sea grape at: https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/species_summary/159557

Photo by Judith Oakley/MarLIN

[Kelly Ripa]

If it's been around since the 50's I don't want to see another frick'n sticker coming my way to grease greasy people's pockets and nothing else..................