On June 12, 2000, Caulerpa taxifolia was located in Agua Hedionda Lagoon, a southern California coastal bay. This alga, by all appearances, behaviors, and initial genetic analysis is the Mediterranean clone causing extreme ecological and economic impacts in the northern Mediterranean Sea. As the first known outbreak in the Western Hemisphere, an all out effort has been undertaken to eradicate the infestation and locate and eradicate any other occurrences which may lay beyond the known infestation area.   Since the discovery of the alga at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, a second infestation site at Huntington Harbour (90 miles to the north) has been verified.

An immediate action program has been undertaken by Merkel & Associates, Inc. a marine biological firm that does extensive work in the waters of the southern California coastline. This program includes surveillance, field and lab studies, eradication efforts, follow-up surveys and spot treatment, support services for out-of-lagoon surveys, assistance with public outreach, and SCCAT support. The work has been conducted under the direction of the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team (SCCAT). The SCCAT is a partnership between private parties, and local, state, and federal agencies. Representation on the SCCAT includes exotic species eradication specialists, researchers, resource managers, regulatory bodies, public communications representatives, the eradication contractor, and private partner stewards who are providing access and equipment and financial resources to combat the infestation.

All identified Caulerpa patches are covered with impermeable 35mil PVC liners. The containment devices trap adequate volume of water for treatment with chemical herbicides, while protecting surrounding areas from collateral damage. This approach also prevents fragmentation of dying plants from spreading viable fragments to adjacent areas.

Caulerpa patches covered with impermeable PVC lines were originally treated with the injection of 5% liquid chlorine solution. Contained patches were retreated with chlorine until some residual chlorine was detected within the tarped area for a period of 24 hours. That initial methodology has been modified such that contained patches of the alga are now treated with a solid form of chlorine.

02/25/09