Holyhead Marina incident: Your help needed to stop non-native species spread by debris

We've received the following advice note from Natural Resources Wales:

Download the PDF advice note to see images.

On 2 March, storm Emma caused significant damage to Holyhead Marina in North Wales. Clean-up operations followed and are on-going.

As part of clean-up operations, actions are being taken to reduce any potential environmental impacts that may occur as a result of this incident.

This advice note has been prepared to advise interested parties as, despite efforts to contain debris from the damaged marina, some debris has drifted out of the harbour area into the wider marine environment.

A consequence of this means there is potential for the carpet sea-squirt Didemnum vexillum (D. vex), a marine invasive non-native species, to spread to other areas. However, the risk of spread may be reduced due to the current sea temperature, which at this time of year is not thought to be favourable for D. vex to reproduce.

Prior to storm Emma, D. vex was being contained in the marina after being discovered living on the submerged artificial structures, commonly found on the floating pontoons, ropes and chains. The resin surface of the floating pontoons provided a suitable area for D. vex to live.

D. vex ( click here for factsheet ) is considered to be an invasive species because it has the potential to negatively impact fisheries, aquaculture and the conservation of native marine habitats.