Appeal to track nuisance seaweed

Wireweed can reduce the diversity of native seaweeds

A wildlife watchdog has launched an appeal to help track the spread of a non-native species of seaweed along Scotland's west coast.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has asked the public to report sightings of wireweed, which was first spotted in Scotland in Loch Ryan, three years ago.

Since then it has been found at Great Cumbrae Island, the Firth of Clyde and most recently in the Firth of Lorn.

It can damage boats and cause problems for shellfish farming equipment.

Wireweed, which is also known as japsweed or Sargassum, was first recorded in the UK in 1973 on the Isle of Wight, and has since spread along the south coast of England, into Wales and Ireland.

Although harmless in its native western Pacific, the seaweed is a nuisance species in the UK.

'Spread rapidly'

It grows very rapidly in the summer and it can reduce the diversity of native seaweeds by outgrowing and shading them.

Fiona Manson, marine advisory officer at SNH, said: "The presence of wireweed in Scotland is a stark reminder that we must do everything we can to prevent non-natives from getting here in the first place.

"It poses a threat to our native marine wildlife, as well as to boats and fish farming.

"The species is very difficult to control once it has established and can spread rapidly because broken-off fragments float and remain reproductively active for some weeks."

She appealed to any members of the public who spot the species to contact SNH.