Biosecurity 2.2
Caulerpa taxifolia – 2007 Survey of current distribution and high risk areas
| ID Number | Project Number | Manager | Start Date | End Date | Total Project Funds ($) |
| SLA-4115 | RD06/0330 | Westphalen, Grant | 30-Jan-2006 | 28-Apr-2006 | 51,000 |
Executive Summary
The distribution of the marine pest, Caulerpa taxifolia, has substantially expanded such that the alga cannot be eradicated from South Australia with current technology. Ongoing monitoring of its distribution has become critical to the management of the alga. The current distribution of C. taxifolia is still contained within the Port River area, and is found in much higher densities in areas impacted by thermal effluent. Isolated colonies of the alga have been located further downstream than in previous surveys, although there appears to be fewer colonies, possibly due to the winter senescence of the alga. There is no evidence that the alga has been translocated to boat ramps along the Adelaide metropolitan coastline.