 HARBOR BRANCH SCIENTIST'S OFFSHORE SURVEY PRODUCES ALARMING RESULTS INVASIVE SPECIES OF ALGA IS FOUND CHOKING REEFS OFF PALM BEACHES AND TREASURE COAST FORT PIERCE, FLA., JUNE 4 2001 - The first phase of a HARBOR BRANCH survey to look for harmful algal blooms on the reefs off the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast has shown the problem may be worse than scientists expected. Dr. Brian Lapointe and Peter Barile of the HARBOR BRANCH Marine Science Division have found a previously unreported invasive green alga called Caulerpa brachypus overgrowing coral reefs in 90 to 130 feet of water in several locations from the Palm Beach Inlet north to the Jupiter inlet. Samples were also taken from reefs in the Boynton Beach area. Barile said the Caulerpa brachypus is forming extensive meadows and crowding out native marine life where its been found. "This species is larger than the Caulerpa verticillata reported during last year's surveys and poses an even larger threat of ecological damage as a result of its rapid high biomass accumulation," Barile said. The two-phase survey is funded with a $75,000 grant through the Florida Wildlife Commission. State senator Ken Pruitt was largely responsible for getting the funds allocated for the study. Phase two will be completed sometime in the fall. Lapointe and Barile have also found extensive blooms of invasive Codium isthmocladum in all deep dives offshore of Boynton and Deerfield Beach, where it is believed ocean outfalls are delivering sewage to the reef zone. Barile said the blooms are already quite extensive and suggest a bad year for coverage on the reefs. According to Barile, local fishermen are reporting decreased fish catches in the areas where the blooms are the largest, and dive charter operators throughout the region are reporting extensive blooms as well. For more information or to arrange interviews or obtain images or video, please call HARBOR BRANCH at 772.465.2400 . HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations dedicated to the exploration of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions for the benefit of mankind. |