THE

OSPREY

Nature Journalof NewfoundlandandLabrador

Winter 2013 Volume 44 Issue 1

Nature
Newfoundland and Labrador
ISSN 0710-4847

Green crab (Photo by Kyle Matheson).

The Marine Aquatic Invasion Continues

By Kyle Matheson

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

quatic invasive species (or AIS, commonly also

referred to as nuisance species, aliens,
unwanted visitors, or non-indigenous) are species
that are not native to coastal Newfoundland (NL)
waters. The transport of these species from foreign
locations to our shores is often attributed to human
traffic including, but not limited to exchange of
ballast water from ships, attachment to boat hulls and
fishing/aquaculture equipment, movement of docks
and barges, and transportation of live seafood and
bait. The prospect of climate change and warming
waters may also allow a species to expand its range
into new territory where conditions may have limited
previous spread (such as colder waters in NL). These
species generally share numerous traits that make
them successful invaders. They often dominate
native species in competition for food or living space
due to aggressiveness, fast growth, or rapid
reproduction and population growth. They tolerate a
wide range of environmental conditions, and easily
adapt to different food sources. Once they become
established in a new area they reproduce and spread,
threatening local biodiversity, functions of coastal
marine ecosystems, and human economic activities.
Aquatic invasive species have been an increasing
8 The Osprey

concern for coastal NL ecosystems during the last 10

years. Collaboration in research and monitoring
programs between scientists at Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO), Memorial University (MUN), and other nongovernment stakeholders has provided information
on the abundance and spread as well as the ecology
of several high interest species. In NL to date, the
European green crab, three tunicate (or sea squirts)
species (Violet, Golden Star, and Vase), the Lacy
Crust Bryozoan, and a large green algae know as
Oyster Thief have been documented as invasive
species. Vase tunicate and Oyster Thief were
discovered in NL for the first time in 2012. While
these species are a relatively new ecological threat to
NL, the fishery and aquaculture industries in the
northeastern United States and Maritime Provinces
have battled against and suffered the ecological and
economic consequences of such invasions. For
example, the voracious appetite of green crab led to
substantial declines in the economically important
soft-shell clam in New England, while the clubbed
and vase tunicates have been the most problematic
invasive species for mussel aquaculture operations in
the Maritime Provinces. Species may respond

uniquely to the different marine environments in NL introduction and spread of species.

compared to elsewhere, but previous knowledge and The European green crab has invaded coastlines of
experience enhances our ability to prepare for and North America for over a century, including more
manage threats ofAIS in NL.
recent invasions along both the Pacific and Atlantic
High amounts of shipping traffic to and within NL coasts of Canada, but was first discovered in North
generate vectors that may transport species into the Harbour, Placentia Bay in 2007. The range and
province from around the globe and once introduced populations of green crab in Placentia Bay have
spread within NL. A National Risk Assessment exploded and have expanded to the west coast of the
identified locations that receive high amounts of island, particularly in shallow, protected coastal
locations (such as eelgrass beds).
vessel traffic and ballast exchange,
"In locations
In locations where few green crab
such as Placentia Bay, which has
where few green
were captured, it has not been
been an invasive species hotspot in
crab were
uncommon to capture several
NL. Although attention has centred
captured, it has not hundred crab the next year. In fact,
on the risk of ballast exchange,
movement by recreational and small been uncommon to numbers have been so large that
capture several
research has been unable to
crafts can act as secondary vectors
that assist and accelerate the spread
hundred crab the effectively estimate population size
because not enough crab have been
of invasive species. Fisheries and
next year. "
recaptured
during
tagging
Oceans have been surveying
recreational boaters to understand common routes experiments. The high abundances of green crab in
and high activity areas within NL (readers are NL (several times that captured in Atlantic Canada or
encouraged to contact AIS DFO, see website below, British Columbia) have surprised many. The
if interested in participating in the boating survey). presence of more native coastal crab species larger
Such surveys provide critical information to fine-tune than green crab in British Columbia (5 compared to
monitoring and research efforts. It is largely only one in NL, the rock crab) may act as predators
acknowledged that the complete eradication of an and limit the population of green crab. Currently,
aquatic invasive species is not realistic, especially green crab is the most prominent and destructive
once the species has become established. Prevention invasive species in NL, and is one of the most
and early detection of introduction and spread may unwanted species globally.
be the most effective management tools. Currently, Green crabs are voracious generalist predators and
regulations are being developed between Provincial aggressive competitors. They prefer shellfish such as
Governments and DFO to manage and control the

(Left) Green crab (Photo by Kyle Matheson). (Right) Oyster Thief(Photo by Terri Wells).

Winter 201 3 9

mussels and clams and large green crab populations star tunicate (first identified in Placentia Bay in
are having dramatic impacts on local abundances of 2006) has spread throughout Placentia Bay and has
these species, practically leaving areas barren. Recent recently been confirmed in Conception Bay.
research by DFO has provided evidence that green Tunicates are referred to as opportunistic animals.
crab feed on juvenile scallops, particularly when Tunicate larvae settle on new, clean surfaces (such as
preferred foods become limited. Green crab can also wharves or clean boat hauls) with little competition
alter underwater habitats. Crabs dig to find food and from existing animals. Once the larvae settle,
bury themselves, which destroys roots of eelgrass, an invasive tunicates grow rapidly and cover other
ecologically significant species in Canada and crucial plants and animals and deprive them of resources
habitat for many juvenile fish, including Atlantic cod. such as food or light. These characteristics make
Anecdotal evidence suggests that this important sea tunicates potentially very disruptive to shellfish
grass has declined throughout Atlantic Canada in harvesters and aquaculture operations. Fortunately,
areas with increasing green crab
no invasive tunicates are present
"Once the larvae
populations. Research by DFO in
in NL aquaculture operations.
settle, invasive
2012 throughout Placentia Bay tunicates grow rapidly Tunicates are most commonly
has shown dramatic declines in and cover other plants transferred between locations by
eelgrass coverage in areas with
hitching a ride on boat hauls,
and animals and
the largest and longest
barges, or fishing equipment.
deprive them of
established
green
crab
Boat hulls should be inspected
resources such as food visually, cleaned, and dried on
populations.
or light. "
land for 24 h as fragmentation of
As with other locations in
colonies in water only
North America, an established green crab population
is nearly impossible to exterminate. For example, perpetuates further spread of the species. Antivolunteer harvesters captured approximately 350 000 fouling treatments on boats can also effectively
crab in North Harbour (considered the hotspot for prevent the transfer of invasive tunicates.
green crab in NL) in under 3 weeks, but it provided Attempts to eradicate populations of these invasive
only a temporary reduction in the
invasive crab. Efforts now
include population control with
the objective that decreasing the
number or prominent size of
green crab increases their
vulnerability to natural predators.
The use of green crab as compost
and fertilizer is another option
being considered to control
populations.
Tunicates are aquatic animals
with sac-like bodies protected by
a coat (or tunic) that can live in
large colonies and feed by
filtering out food from water.
While the violet tunicate (first
discovered in Belleoram in 2007)
has not spread outside of
Belleoram harbour, the golden- Vase Tunicate (Photo by Bob O'Donnell).
10

The Osprey

tunicates have not been

successful despite early
detection, further emphasizing
that the prevention of spread is
crucial. Boats and wharf
structures in Belleoream have
been wrapped with plastic and
filled with freshwater to
suffocate and remove violet
tunicate, but the tunicate
persisted. In 2011, the detection
of golden star tunicate only on
floating docks in Foxtrap
marine (Conception Bay)
provided a rare opportunity to
attempt to locally eradicate this
tunicate. The floating docks Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Photo by Terri Wells).
were removed and although
early indications showed no evidence of the species introduction of vase tunicate and other dangerous
return, it was discovered again the subsequent fall on invasive tunicates (such as clubbed tunicate and
Didemnum sp., which are currently in the Maritime
the main wharf structures.
Provinces and NE United States, but not NL). For
Although violet and golden star tunicates are not example, researchers have developed genetic tools
the most economically devastating of the invasive that can detect a single tunicate larva in the water
tunicates, the vase tunicate has had a high economic column. Such tools and awareness lead to further
impact in some regions. This species was found in progress in proactive introduction and transfer
Marystown and Burin regions (highest abundances in protocols to lessen the risk of invasive species.
Little Bay) on wharf structures, boat hauls, and
eelgrass during regular surveys by DFO in 2012. In Moving forward, public education and awareness
the Maritime Provinces, vase tunicate has infested are considered vital components in the struggle to
mussel farming operations, which has decreased Recognize! Report! and Remove! invasive species.
growth of mussels and in some cases caused loss of The more awareness the public has on the issues, the
the crop and some closure of mussel operations. more that can be done to reduce future risks of
Removal of vase tunicates from mussel sleeves is introduction and spread. We encourage the public to
very labour intensive and costly. Due to its potential visit the AIS DFO website (http://www.nfl.dfofor large economic and ecological impacts further mpo.gc.ca/ais-eae) to learn how to identify each
options for mitigating vase tunicate population species and where they are most commonly found
(especially for those who often travel by boat). The
growth and spread are being investigated.
public are encouraged to take pictures and report any
Finding lower impact tunicates first increased our new finding of an invasive species or a species that
awareness and monitoring programs for the potential cannot be identified.

"Nature always tends to act in the simplest way. "

- Johann Bernoulli
Winter 201 3 11