The SeaDoc Society is a program of the Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Tax ID# 94-6036494.
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Tunicates

Evaluating the effects of invasive tunicates in Puget Sound

Levy, C., J. Cordell, J. Toft and O. Gunning. 2011. Evaluating the effects of invasive tunicates in Puget Sound. Proceedings of the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia. October 2011. Download PDF.

(Large format poster)

Invasive Tunicates

tunicate on musselsTunicates, also known as sea squirts, are innocuous-looking invertebrates that reproduce prolifically. 

In the Salish Sea there are several species of invasive tunicates that have been brought here by accident on vessel hulls and through other transmission means. These invasive species can outcompete local species, taking over both space and food supplies.

Tunicates attach to boat hulls, docks, marinas, shellfish and shellfish-growing equipment. Invasive tunicates can be a major threat to shellfish aquaculture.

A SeaDoc-supported project, completed in 2011, investigated the effect of invasive tunicates on mussel growing operations in Puget Sound and whether invasive tunicates are impacting certain species of harpacticoid copepods and amphipods that are known to be important prey for juvenile salmon and other small fish. 

The research was summarized in a poster displayed at the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference in October 2011. Click here for a link to the PDF of the poster. 

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Healthy ecosystems support economic prosperity. The Salish Sea provides abundant natural capital that contributes substantially to the financial prosperity of the region. Unhealthy ecosystems cost money because we lose the opportunity to benefit from them. The Salish Sea's deteriorating health threatens our economic well being and quality of life. SeaDoc uses science to find solutions to the problems facing the fish, wildlife and people of the Salish Sea.

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