Kelp invades Firth of Thames

The discovery of the invasive Asian kelp Undaria pinnatifida on a mussel farm in the Firth of Thames highlights the need for stronger marine biosecurity, says Forest and Bird.

The "blackberry of the sea" was discovered in the Firth of Thames by aquaculture operators and confirmed by the Cawthron Institute.

Undaria was found in Wellington harbour in 1987, but until its recent discovery in Auckland, the northern-most population was in Gisborne.