Undaria control in Apollo Bay
Volunteers needed for underwater weeding at Apollo Bay
Divers will take to the water at Apollo Bay on the weekend of December 10 and 11 to undertake a massive underwater weeding operation to reduce the amount of the pest species of seaweed, Undaria in the bay. This is the second year the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and volunteer divers will tackle the infestation to remove large amounts of the seaweed in an attempt to stop it spreading.
Department of Sustainability and Environment Marine Policy Officer John Barker said last year divers removed a massive 4.5 tonnes of the invasive marine pest. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of volunteer divers and this year we are putting the call out again to get people to help remove some of the Undaria to protect the health of the harbour. “The aim of the dive is to reduce amount of the pest species in the harbour and reduce the likelihood of it spreading into surrounding marine environment.”
Undaria, or Japanese Kelp as it is also known, can take over native seaweed on reef ecosystems which decreases biodiversity and impacts on the productivity of reef dependent species, including commercially important fisheries like abalone and rock lobster. The kelp is generally spread through human activities, including boat movements and the transportation of contaminated water and equipment.
In Victoria Undaria has become widely established in Port Phillip Bay. The infestation inside Apollo Bay Harbour is the first known population outside the bay and highlights the importance of vessel hygiene and the serious risk that Japanese kelp poses to the marine environment. The dive removal helps to prevent the spread of Undaria by removing plants before they break off and drift out of the harbour spreading spores along the coast.
Information about the dive:
- The community dive weekend has been scheduled for the 10th and 11th of December.
- Volunteers will need to be either a qualified scuba diver or have previous snorkelling experience.
- To register your interest in volunteering and for further information, please call Mark Doyle at the Department of Sustainability and Environment on (03) 9637 9035.