Current Events 10: Nonnative Red Alga Found Along Coasts of Maine

A nonnative species of seaweed, Heterosiphonia japonica, native to Japan has recently been found in the waters near Appledore Island, Maine, which is located just a few miles from the New Hampshire coast. The alga, brownish-red in color, has been commonly found in the intertidal transects on the island. It has been growing in the shallow waters near the coastline, and then it builds up in large, decaying mounds in the intertidal zone. The piles of alga give off a foul smell that threaten tourism of the beaches. It's also possible that they seaweed may out-compete native plant species, overwhelm local ecosystems, and damage commercial fisheries nearby because it may disrupt ecosystems. The alga was first spotted in the U.S. in Southern New England, particularly Rhode Island, in 2009. It's thought that the seaweed was brought here across the world unintentionally on boat hulls or shellfish aquaculture. The area is yet to have experienced any devastating effects from the alga, but the amount of it is quickly increasing and poses threats.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120913122842.htm